Ex-Pirates midfielder backs new Chiefs signing to shine
The South African | 12.11.2025 18:12
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benson Mhlongo has tipped former Cape Town Spurs winger Asanele Velebayi to succeed at Kaizer Chiefs.
The 22-year-old joined Amakhosi in September as a free agent although his former club contested the signing. Mhlongo coached Velebayi last season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship before the Urban Warriors got relegated.
“With him joining Chiefs, he can only grow,” said the former Pirates captain.
“You know supporters are impatient but with these young boys they must be patient. Unfortunately we lost him towards the end of last season about three or four matches, we couldn’t have him because of injury.”
Former Pirates star backs Velebayi to shine at Chiefs
Velebayi made his debut for Amakhosi last week and impressed the club’s coach Khalil Ben Youssef. Mhlongo said the winger just needs an opportunity at Chiefs to showcase his talent.
“He won games for us. For us to be safe (before he got injured) it was him and Luke Baartman. So losing him at a crucial stage cost us as a team. But he’s (Velebayi) a good player that can carry the team given an opportunity,” Mhlongo said as per Soccer Laduma.
The former Pirates and Sundowns midfielder said the new Chiefs signing was not only a good player but a leader as well.
“It’s because he’s good (that he was made captain). He’s good in his own right. He carried the team without talking but performing. He doesn’t talk much but he performs,” Mhlongo said.
