Steven Mendes is quickly becoming one of the names to watch at Kaizer Chiefs, with Diski Challenge coach Vela Khumalo backing the teenager to make his senior breakthrough.
The 18-year-old recently caught the attention of South African football by finishing as the Golden Boot winner at the COSAFA U20 tournament in Maputo, Mozambique.
Although naturally a midfielder, Mendes was deployed as a striker during the tournament and responded by delivering the goals that earned him the individual award.
Now, Khumalo believes it is only a matter of time before the youngster starts knocking on the door of the Chiefs first team.
Khumalo backs Mendes for Chiefs breakthrough
Khumalo has worked with Mendes at the Kaizer Chiefs Diski Challenge setup and has been impressed by the youngster’s development.
The coach believes Mendes already has the talent and maturity required to compete at a higher level.
Khumalo also highlighted how much the teenager has developed physically and technically.
“He’s a special player, a top player. He’s going to make it big,” Khumalo said, according to iDiski Times.
The coach suggested that Mendes could soon find himself training regularly with the senior squad and being considered for first-team involvement.
For a teenager who has only recently made headlines at international youth level, that would represent a significant next step.
From midfielder to COSAFA Golden Boot winner
Mendes’ performances in Mozambique have added another layer to his growing reputation.
Primarily a midfielder, the Chiefs prospect was moved into a more advanced role during the COSAFA U20 tournament.
The tactical switch paid off.
Mendes finished as the tournament’s leading scorer while helping Amajita qualify for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Some of his teammates have also given him the nickname ‘Stevie G’, a reflection of the excitement surrounding his potential.
The next challenge is translating that youth-level success into consistent performances against senior opposition.
Chiefs have several injury concerns
Mendes’ potential first-team opportunity comes at a time when Chiefs are dealing with a number of injury problems.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen is expected to miss up to six weeks with a knee injury, while Wandile Duba faces a spell on the sidelines with a hip and groin issue.
New signing Lebohang Maboe was also forced off during the 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows and subsequently withdrew from the Bafana Bafana squad.
The severity of Maboe’s injury has not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Langelihle Phili remains sidelined with an ankle problem, while Paseka Mako, Khanyiso Shinga and Khanyisa Mayo are also unavailable.
Those absences could create opportunities for some of Chiefs’ younger players to impress.
When will Chiefs return to action?
Chiefs still have some time before their next competitive fixture because of the international break.
The Glamour Boys are scheduled to host Stellenbosch on Saturday, 17 October at 15:30 in their next Betway Premiership assignment.
Whether Mendes will be involved with the senior squad by then remains to be seen.
But if Khumalo’s assessment is anything to go by, the teenager could soon be taking another important step towards becoming a first-team Kaizer Chiefs player.
For now, Steven Mendes is one name Chiefs supporters will want to remember.
