The Kaizer Chiefs striker has big ambitions at Naturena

Kaizer Chiefs are currently in the middle of a rebuilding phase that has seen a number of senior players being shipped out over the past two seasons, while new faces, including young striker Ryan Moon, provided a breath of fresh air and showed plenty of p

Joining one of the biggest clubs in Africa, if not the biggest, was an exciting opportunity, for which I’d like to give God all the praise and glory,” Moon says, with a huge grin that suggests the excitement that comes with being at the Soweto giants has yet to die down. Understandably so, as the 20-year-old is still finding his feet as a professional, having made his Premier Soccer League debut with Maritzburg United just 18 months ago – in a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw against Platinum Stars – before joining Chiefs on a three-year deal in July 2016.

Having made only two previous

senior appearances prior to his arrival at the Glamour Boys, many supporters and pundits alike expressed shock over the club’s willingness to show faith in a teenager from outside their own youth ranks. However, Moon explains that Chiefs coach Steve Komphela and former assistant John Paintsil already had first-hand knowledge of his capabilities, and says he needed no convincing when the offer presented itself. “Was I surprised by Chiefs’ interest in me? No, not really. My contract was coming to an end at Maritzburg, after negotiations to renew had been going back and forth for some time,” he explains. “Obviously coach Steve and John Paintsil saw me before, and knew what I could do from their time when they were both at Maritzburg, so I think they