Shopane shines as Chiefs reserves bring joy to fans
20-year-old aspires for senior status
Having played a massive role in propelling Kaizer Chiefs reserves to the MultiChoice Diski Shield triumph, Amakhosi youngster Itumeleng Shopane, 20, has set his sights on promotion to the senior side.
Chiefs clinched the inaugural reserve league competition with a 3-1 demolition of Mamelodi Sundowns at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa at the weekend.
“I am working very hard to realise my dream of playing for the first team [and] it’s very promising,” Shopane told Sowetan in the midst of their celebrations on Saturday, at a final attended by some Amakhosi senior players, led by goalkeeper Ituemeleng Khune.
Shopane has seen his peers such as Siyabonga Ngezana, Wiseman Meyiwa, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Yusuf Bunting, all graduate to the senior side ahead of him.
The ex-Amajita striker seems to have finally found a new lease of life, having been converted to the right- back position by Amakhosi reserve coach Arthur Zwane.
“The system we play didn’t allow me and Yusuf up front [as two strikers] to start at the same time, so the coach said ‘okay you’re strong and have more stamina than Yusuf, come and play right-back’, said Shopane, who has earned a few man-of-the match awards. “Jomo”, as Shopane is known to his peers, started this campaign on loan at National First Division (NFD) side Cape Town All Stars but Amakhosi recalled him after just six months.
He made 12 appearances, half of which were starts, and registered six assists with no goal at the Mother City-based side.
The lad from Taung, North West, feels their Diski Shield success will bring joy to the Amakhosi faithful after the seniors went another season without silverware.