With Kaizer Chiefs having more players from their development making their mark in the first team in recent times, the side's former youth coach Farouk Khan has picked some of the finest products to come through at Naturena.
The likes of Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, Njabulo Blom, Darrel Matsheke, Lebohang Lesako, Sabelo Radebe, Keletso Sifama, Wiseman Meyiwa, Bruce Bvuma, Siyabonga Ngezana, Zitha Macheke and Lorenzo Gordinho have come through the club's development in recent years.
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Khan previously worked in the Amakhosi development and during his time, the club produced some of the finest talent this country has seen.
"Obviously top of the list is Jabu Mahlangu, or Jabu Pule. When I met him, he was physically a very fragile player, but he had speed and endurance. We managed to stabilise him. He had the natural talent," Khan tells Siya crew.
"Another one that stands is Nhlanhla Kubeka. He never reached his full potential. There was a time Kubeka man-marked Raphael Chukwu. They gave him the nickname 'Rhoo' as people saw him as the next Lucas Radebe. The other player is Gerald Sibeko. He had a football brain and playing intelligence which is second to none. He could see a pass that you and I could not see. He was a playmaker in that he would give Jabu the exact pass, in the right space, with the right weight.
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"Other players who had an impact are the late Moffat Mofoka. He went to Tembisa Classic and Santos. He was a phenomenal player. He was like Fernandinho of Manchester City. There was Rufus Mokoti and and Tshepo Mashishi. Those fullbacks were phenomenal. There was Isaac Mabotsa as well. Then later on there was the likes of Junior Khanye, (Thabiso) 'Skaapie' Malatsi and Ntokozo Sikhakhane. And obviously we cannot forget Itumeleng Khune. Yes, those are the boys who stood out for me. You can't always be buying the best players in the market, because sometimes they don't live up to expectations.
Of the current crop of players from the Amakhosi development, Ngcobo is the one Khan rates highly.
"In recent years? I think there are players who show potential, but they have not really delivered at this stage. A player who comes to mind is Ngcobo, who has the potential, but when he comes up against physical opposition, he tends to fade, like he did against AmaZulu earlier this week. If I compare the players now and back then, they don't compare. Don't get me wrong, the current crop has the potential."
Click through the gallery to view images of some of Chiefs' finest development products.
