• Bohloko scores for SA 17
• Amajimbos lose to Colombia
• Chiefs tipped to release Gonzalez

WHAT HAPPENED?

Kaizer Chiefs reserve team starlet Neo Bohloko shone for South Africa under-17 in their second international friendly match against their Colombian counterparts in Palmira on Wednesday. 

After a good fight on the day, 10-man Amajimbos lost the game 2-1 to Colombia with Bohloko having opened the scoring to hand the Vela Khumalo-led side the lead.

Despite the defeat, coach Khumalo, who is also in charge of the Chiefs reserve team, was impressed by Bohloko and his teammates' performance, insisting his under-17 team dominated the match. 

WHAT KHUMALO SAID

“Another good match for the boys,” said Khumalo, per Safa media.

“We managed to stick to our philosophy and dominate the match. We managed to score first and give as many players a run, but again, we had a goalkeeping error, like in the first match.

“I believe this was a very good test for us as we managed to have a look at all the players and see what they can offer. We are far from finished as we are still working on creating a team that will take us to the U17 AFCON and the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Chiefs have been tipped to part ways with Jasond Gonzalez at the end of the season having decided against buying him from his parent club, Real Santa Cruz of Bolivia.

The Soweto giants have struggled to score goals this term and they could consider promoting Bohloko to their first team next season.

The 16-year-old has proved to be a reliable goalscorer in the Diski Challenge in the current campaign having found the back of the net 13 times.

Mfundo Vilakazi was recently promoted to Chiefs first team from the club's reserve team after impressing in the Diski Challenge.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Amajimbos will now travel back home with the players returning to their respective clubs.

They will regroup this winter and prepare for the Cosafa U17 Championship and Afcon U17 qualifiers later this year.