Kaizer Chiefs' youngsters spark revival

THE Kaizer Chiefs train is slowly but surely moving. Amakhosi have their return on capital investment - the youngsters, particularly Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi - to thank for it.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Shabalala and Vilakazi were on song when Chiefs thrashed newcomers Orbit College 4-1 at FNB Stadium in a league match on Tuesday night. Shabalala scored a brace and assisted Vilakazi’s third goal and Flavio Silva's late strike.

Chiefs not only drew level with champions and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on 22 points after the game, but they also eased the pressure on the team and co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

The duo had come under heavy scrutiny after the club decided to retain them as co-coaches following the sacking of their superior, Nasreddine Nabi, who had originally brought them in as his assistants.

Their campaign initially faltered as they endured a winless streak in the league and were eliminated from the Carling Knockout by Stellenbosch away from home.