Kaizer Chiefs’ youth policy helped convince Faiz Abrahams to join on loan

Faiz Abrahams says Kaizer Chiefs’ record of giving young players opportunities was a major factor in his decision to join the club from Stellenbosch FC.

The 21-year-old winger completed a season-long loan move to Amakhosi this past week, with Kaizer Chiefs holding the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the campaign.

Abrahams, who comes from Bishop Lavis on the Cape Flats, began his career in the youth ranks of Ajax Cape Town, now known as Cape Town Spurs. He later moved to Stellenbosch FC, where he progressed through the club’s development system.

The winger first appeared for Stellenbosch FC in the DStv Diski Challenge before making his senior debut. That first-team appearance came against Kaizer Chiefs, unusually, two seasons ago.

Abrahams spent last season on loan in Israel with Hapoel Kfar Saba. He made 11 appearances for the club, scoring three goals and registering three assists, before returning to Stellenbosch FC.

“I am very happy to join Kaizer Chiefs,” he told the club’s website.

“It is an honour to be here at one of the biggest clubs in Africa. They have won a lot of trophies and what attracted me most is that they have a history of giving opportunities to young players.”

The move gives Abrahams the chance to continue his development at one of South Africa’s most successful clubs, while Kaizer Chiefs have secured a young wide player who already has senior experience in the Betway Premiership and abroad.

His route to the club has included international success with South Africa’s youth teams. Abrahams was part of the South African U20 squad that won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year.

He was in that victorious squad alongside fellow Kaizer Chiefs player Mfundo Vilakazi.

Abrahams’ arrival adds another link between the club’s current squad and South Africa’s successful youth generation. His experience with Stellenbosch FC, his spell at Hapoel Kfar Saba and his involvement in the DStv Diski Challenge have all formed part of his progression towards regular senior football.

Kaizer Chiefs’ willingness to develop younger players was ultimately central to the winger’s choice, according to Abrahams, who said the club’s history of providing opportunities had attracted him most.

The loan agreement will run for the season, with the option for the move to become permanent when the campaign concludes.

The iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is available free to download, or readers can complete the publication’s online form to receive it each week.