Arthur Zwane credited for Kaizer Chiefs academy graduates

Prior to being demoted back to the club’s development, Zwane promoted and introduced a few academy graduates to the senior team – among them Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, Samkelo Zwane, and Mfundo Vilakazi.

The quartet have formed part of Nasreddine Nabi’s core, but Mngqithi says it’s Zwane who should get the credit.

"To answer correctly, I would not want to give this one [credit for Chiefs youngsters' rise] to Coach Nabi first, I first want to give it to Arthur Zwane because I think he is the one who unveiled a lot of these players to us," said Mngqithi.

"And he gave them opportunities to these players, who took Chiefs to the CAF Champions League final [in 2021], if you remember very well, and unfortunately the change of leadership then brought them a little bit backwards.

"And I do believe, had these players continued from that time up until now, they would be highly respected by now."

What Mngqithi did praise Nabi for is the decision to continue giving the Chiefs young players an opportunity, instead of relying only on the old guard. 

"They showed very early that they have something different, but I must also say I appreciate the fact that Coach Nabi has realised that sometimes we get stuck in this thing of players having or not having experience," he added.

"Sometimes you must just throw the players into the deep end, and see what they can do. I must say I appreciate that, more especially coming from a foreign coach, who says let me see and not hear what the media and public are saying about these players."

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