Four Kaizer Chiefs loanees make first Motsepe Foundation Championship starts

Four Kaizer Chiefs players made their first starts of the season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship during matchday seven.

Kaizer Chiefs have loaned several players to clubs in the second tier to give them more regular playing opportunities, with four of those players now making their first starts in the competition.

The matchday began on Thursday when Hope FC hosted Midlands Wanderers at Athlone Stadium. Two Kaizer Chiefs loanees were named in Hope’s starting line-up for the first time this season.

Goalkeeper Bontle Molefe was handed his first start for the club, but could not keep a clean sheet as Hope and Midlands Wanderers drew 1-1.

Dejean Ah Shene had been Hope’s first-choice goalkeeper during the campaign, but was not included in the matchday squad against Wanderers. That absence allowed Molefe to take his opportunity in goal.

Naledi Hlongwane, the promising young Kaizer Chiefs forward, also started the match for Hope. Head coach Clayton Daniels has been deploying Hlongwane on the left wing and recently told Soccer Laduma that he believes the youngster can be “special for them”.

At Real Native, two more Kaizer Chiefs loanees made their first starts of the season in the meeting with The Bees.

Ofentse Kgosana and Vicky Mkhawana both began the match, with Kgosana making a decisive contribution by scoring the winning goal. The result lifted Real Native into second place in the standings, two points behind leaders Magesi FC.

Kaizer Chiefs also have Sifiso Timba and Xolani Cossa on loan at Gomora United. Both players have been featuring regularly in the club’s starting line-up.

Samkelo Zwane has likewise established himself as a regular starter for Hope. However, he was not included in the squad for the club’s most recent match against Midlands Wanderers.

The four first-time starters in matchday seven underline the increased opportunities being provided to Kaizer Chiefs players away from the club, while others remain regular selections for their loan sides.