×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Chiefs sign Bryce Moon’s younger brother Ryan ‘for the future’

Kaizer Chiefs presented jerseys to two new 19-year-old senior team signings - striker Ryan Moon and centreback Siyabonga Ngezana - at a training session at their Naturena headquarters.

Moon‚ the younger brother of former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Bryce Moon‚ who played for Mumalanga Black Aces last season‚ has been signed from Maritzburg United.

Ngezana has been promoted from Chiefs’ development.

Amakhosi's football manager‚ Bobby Motaung‚ said Moon had been signed as a future prospect.

“It’s on a three-year deal. And obviously he’s 19 years old now‚” Motaung said.

“We’re looking at age. We’re looking at the future‚ Baba. These are guys who we need to bring up.

“We need strikers. He’s a local boy. Why not give him a chance and give him a big stage to shine.”

It was suggested to Motaung that Moon had yet to show a “wow factor” in his handful of appearances for United.

“We don’t sign for a ‘wow’ as a team. At Chiefs we look at players’ tactical and technical abilities‚ quality and their future prospects‚” Motaung responded.

“And also we looked at Moon and he’s a quality player.

“You look at the youngster that we’ve just launched now – I don’t know. When Knowledge Musona came to Chiefs he was 19 years young.

“We’ve got another surprise now‚ with the youngster who is here – ‘Adebayor’ [Emmanuel Letlotlo]. He’s a typical type of player who can come and blossom. He’s also young and also 19.

“So if the talent is there‚ the opportunity is there. We’ve done this before. Doctor Khumalo and Jabu Pule were also young.”

Letlotolo‚ also promoted to Chiefs' first team this off-season‚ was the top scorer in last season’s Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) reserve league.

Maritzburg youth product Moon would have been well known to Chiefs coach Steve Komphela‚ whose previous job was with the KwaZulu-Natal club.

“I don’t think that was the reason we brought him in‚” said Motaung.

“He played some games towards the end of the season for Maritzburg‚ and obviously we saw him.

“Among youngsters our scouts have identified nationally he was one of those earmarked from the MDC. We saw him in the MDC as well‚ we were looking at him.

“Ngezana is a centreback. He’s been with our academy for the past three years. He and 'Adebayor' played together there.

“And we’re strengthening our MDC team as well to make it very strong for the future.”

“We’re looking at the future. And that’s been a Chiefs philosophy for a while. Of course you bring in experienced players too. Even now we’ve got ‘Rama’ [Ramahlwe Mphahlele] who’s got experience.

“We have players like Willard Katsande and ‘Shabba’ [Siphiwe Tshabalala] in the squad who’ve got experience. Bernard Parker and Tsepo Masilela.

“But we’re planning for the future‚ not only for today. And it’s normal. That’s how we plan.”

Chiefs meet Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday in the pre-season Carling Black Label Cup.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.