Kaizer Chiefs Reward Teen Sensation Naledi Hlongwane with Long-Term Contract

Kaizer Chiefs have made a bold statement about their future by securing the services of rising star Naledi Hlongwane with a five-year professional contract, underlining the club’s renewed focus on youth development and long-term planning.

The 19-year-old striker, currently shining for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team, has reportedly agreed to a deal that will keep him at Naturena from July 2025 until June 2030. The move is a significant show of confidence from Amakhosi, who see Hlongwane as a key figure in their rebuilding process.

According to sources close to the club, Chiefs initially proposed a three-year contract, but internal discussions led to an upgrade to a five-year offer—a decision aimed at securing the future of one of their most promising academy products.

“What I can tell you is the five-year deal is the one believed to have been agreed upon by all parties. Yes, the first time it was apparently proposed for a three-year deal but the club felt they needed to keep the striker for a long time. That’s why, finally, they came up with a five-year contract. This one is as good as done. I don’t think there will be any changes now,” a source revealed to Soccer Laduma.

Another insider confirmed that while Hlongwane has occasionally trained and traveled with the senior team, he will complete the current campaign with the DDC squad, who are on course to win their first-ever DStv Diski Challenge title.

“What he has signed is a five-year professional contract which starts in July this year. Although he has been training with the first team and sometimes traveling with them, he is going to continue with the DDC team for the remainder of the season, then apparently join the first team on their pre-season camp,” said the source.

Hlongwane has been instrumental in Chiefs’ impressive DDC run this season, consistently finding the back of the net and playing a key role in their push for silverware. His standout performances have also earned him national recognition—he was part of the Bafana Bafana CHAN squad that knocked Egypt out of the qualifiers and was awarded Man of the Match in the Carling All Stars victory over Magesi FC, where he scored a brace in a 3-0 win.

Kaizer Chiefs have not officially commented on the deal, but the move marks a clear signal of intent from the club’s management to build a future squad around talented homegrown players while continuing their hunt for more seasoned strikers ahead of the new season.

As Amakhosi navigate their way back to domestic dominance, the emergence of talents like Hlongwane could be crucial to restoring their glory—and this latest move shows they’re willing to back that belief with long-term investment.