Khwezi Khoza applauded for HWB Super League Awards nomination

The 15-year-old has been nominated for the Young Player of the Season award, alongside Ntando Phahla of the University of Pretoria and Sikelelwa Mhlanga of City Lads FC. 

Makhaye felt Khoza had a brilliant debut season in the elite women’s league.

"I think Khwezi has really done well for herself, considering it was her first season in the Hollywoodbets Super League – for a 15-year-old to have so much contribution is really amazing," said Makhaye.

"She scored seven goals, with 12 goal contribution (five assists) to the team, which is a really good start, and she has a very bright future in her career.

"She has already won a KwaZulu-Natal Junior Sports award, which is a good initiative for her, so we really hope that she will make it far in her career, and we are very pleased as a club."

Khoza recently featured in Bantwana’s 21-2 victory over Gabon in their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup two-legged qualifier, in which she scored a total five goals. 

Durban Ladies have produced the likes of former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini, Zamandosi Cele and Memory Makhanya, and Makhaye says it’s important to give players opportunities in the early days of their careers.

"It's very important to give young talent the platform because, before they can become big players, someone must believe in them and give them a chance," he added.

"That's our main objective in this project that we are leading as Durban Ladies, to give young players from KZN and other provinces opportunities to showcase their talent.

"We want to see them making it to the national level, and also internationally because we don't want to just produce young, exciting players, but players who can go and compete abroad.

"I think we're really heading in the right direction, having this young squad being able to perform as they did, with three players that are under-15 in the senior side, and not just having them [in the squad], but they are regular players."

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