Chiefs Youngster Tipped For First Team Role…

Photo by Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images

One of South Africa’s revered development coaches, Augusto Palacios, has predicted that Kaizer Chiefs reserve midfielder Teboho Mlangeni would be in the first team next season.

The 18-year-old was in the news recently when Soccer Laduma reported that he has signed a DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) contract with the Phefeni Glamour Boys.

The SA U20 star was groomed at the Augusto Palacios Apprentice Academy from the age of 13. Palacios tells this publication that Mlangeni is destined for great things.

“I think he would be in the first team next season. I believe so,” said Palacios.

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“About the boy, what you can say is he has natural talent. And a skilful player, he can defend and he can attack. Very disciplined. He likes to train all day and is very committed,” he said.

Palacios continued, “They liked him straight away at Chiefs. He went for one training, and then the (youth) coaches Vela Khumalo and Rueben Letsholonyane asked me if we can release him to play for their under-17s. And then I said, ‘Well, no problem.’ I met with Kaizer Junior (Motaung), and we released him.

“I’m very proud of him. But I must say, proud of the mother, you know, who supported him all the way. I always tell him he needs to work harder to treat the family to a better life. This is what I always advise to the players.”

Mlangeni hails from Zondi, Soweto, and he was in the Amajita squad that won the COSAFA Cup title to qualify for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

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