Former Kaizer Chiefs academy graduate Buti Sithole has shed light on why
promising talents like Puso Dithejane and Khulumani Ndamane often leave
Naturena before flourishing at other clubs.
Both players, developed in the Chiefs youth system, secured their
professional breakthroughs at TS Galaxy. Dithejane’s performances earned
him a move to Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, while centre-back
Ndamane now plies his trade for Mamelodi Sundowns after his time at
Galaxy.
Reflecting on this recurring trend, Sithole—who graduated to the Chiefs
first team in 2003 before later joining Zulu Royals—called it a
significant loss for the club.
“I think it’s a big loss for Chiefs to develop players, then they leave
and they have to buy them back,” Sithole told the Siya crew.
“Because when you grow up there, you expect to go to the first team but we
won’t all get promoted.”
He pointed out that this pattern is not new, citing examples from his own
era.
“Even during our time it happened… The likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala, (the
late) Scara Ngobese, they started at Chiefs development and had to be
bought back.”
Sithole explained that despite the depth of talent in development
structures, promotion is never guaranteed.
“It is not starting to happen now, it’s all about luck, timing, and if
there’s a lot of competition in your position. Supporters can complain but
football is like that. It’s not a new thing—I’m not surprised.”
He also highlighted the players’ perspective, noting that academy
graduates can sense when they are ready for senior football.
“You can feel that ‘my time for development is over, my peers are playing
elsewhere, I need first team football.’ Some teams can see that you’re
good enough, so why would you stay?”
Regarding Dithejane’s recent move abroad, Sithole believes the overseas
opportunity was the deciding factor.
“I’m 100 percent sure, it’s just that a big opportunity came to go
overseas. Had the MLS offer not come, he would’ve gone back to Naturena.”
Sithole’s comments underscore a long-standing challenge for Chiefs:
retaining the top talents they nurture, only to sometimes watch them
succeed elsewhere.
