Kaizer Chiefs to Honour Rising Stars Following Victorious DStv Diski Challenge Campaign

Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) coach Vela Khumalo has dubbed 2025 “the best year of his coaching career” after guiding South Africa’s Under-17 team to World Cup qualification and leading Amakhosi’s reserves to their first-ever DDC title.

Chiefs clinched the championship in dominant fashion, finishing the season with a record 70 points. The title was sealed in style with a commanding 5-0 victory over AmaZulu at Dobsonville Stadium this past weekend.

Following their triumphant campaign, Khumalo revealed that at least three standout performers Kabelo Nkgwesa Matlaba, Thulani Mabaso, and Takalani Mazhamba will join the senior squad for preseason ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

“These players will go to preseason with the first team,” Khumalo confirmed. “We’re not necessarily saying they’re being promoted, but the idea is to give the first team a chance to assess them.”

Khumalo, who also serves as head coach of the national Under-17 side, added that other promising players from the DDC squad may be loaned out or transferred to other PSL clubs to gain top-flight experience.

“You’ll see some of them featuring for other PSL teams, whether on loan or on a permanent basis,” he noted.

Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) coach Vela Khumalo has hailed 2025 as the pinnacle of his coaching career, following a landmark season that saw him guide South Africa’s Under-17 national team to World Cup qualification and lead Amakhosi's reserves to their first-ever DDC title.

Last month, Khumalo steered Amajimbos to the quarterfinals of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where they narrowly lost to hosts Morocco. Despite the defeat, the team’s top-eight finish secured a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar from November 3–27 this year.

“This is by far the best year of my coaching career qualifying the U-17s for the World Cup and now winning the DDC title,” said Khumalo. “It even surpasses winning the Cosafa Cup with the national team.”

Chiefs capped off their DDC campaign in dominant fashion, earning a record 70 points and sealing the title with a 5-0 demolition of AmaZulu at Dobsonville Stadium.

Khumalo attributed the team’s success to consistency in squad selection a contrast to previous seasons when player promotions disrupted the rhythm.

“More than just the talent the boys have, what made the difference this season was keeping the core group together throughout,” he explained. “In the past three seasons, we constantly had to promote players to the senior team, which affected our continuity. You’ll remember names like Mdu Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane, and Wandile Duba.”

He added, “We also lost players like Omega Mdaka and Puso Dithejane along the way. If we had kept them, we might have clinched the title even earlier. But ultimately, that’s our role we are a feeder team, and we take pride in developing talent for the top flight.”

Looking ahead, Khumalo confirmed that at least three of his standout players Kabelo Nkgwesa Matlaba, Thulani Mabaso, and Takalani Mazhamba will join the senior squad for preseason preparations. He also expects several others to get opportunities with other PSL clubs, either on loan or in permanent moves.