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Mendes Aiming To Emulate Amajita Alumni To Chiefs First Team

Lorenz Kohler

Lorenz Kohler

September 15, 2026

Kaizer Chiefs teenager Steven Mendes says the previous generation of Amajita serves as an inspiration that they can springboard their professional club careers by succeeding at national U20 level.

The likes of Mfundo Vilakazi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Shandre Campbell, Tylon Smith and Kutlwano Letlhaku formed part of the previous group that won the U20 Cosafa Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the U20 FIFA World Cup.

Mendes, 18, looks set to form an integral part of the new-look midfield alongside captain Lazola Maku, who was also part of the previous generation as they look to replicate their incredible achievements and defend their titles.

“Yeah, obviously we saw last year what this team did for individuals, and I think everyone in this team is… they want the same to happen to them [earn first-team promotions],” Mendes said when asked by iDiski Times if they looking to springboard their careers.

“So that pushes us a bit more, makes us work harder, makes us wanna win the tournaments, so we can get recognition and overall, I think it also helps us mentally – saying there is opportunities that comes from this.”

The highly-rated midfielder re-joined Chiefs from Swedish club Hammarby Fotboll last year and is now part of their DStv Diski Challenge set-up.

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