Chiefs’ UK Tour: Why Khumalo and Bohloko missed the trip

Kaizer Chiefs’ sporting director, Kaizer Motaung Jr, has provided clarification on the notable absences of DStv Diski Challenge head coach Vela Khumalo and promising young striker Neo Bohloko from the reserve team’s nine-day UK tour.

The Amakhosi youth side is currently in the United Kingdom as a reward for clinching the DStv Diski Challenge title last season, where they are scheduled to play against youth teams from Manchester United, Leeds United, and Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

Expectations are high for the team, following Stellenbosch FC’s success in the NextGEN tournament the previous season. However, they will be competing without their main coach and one of their key goal scorers.

Visa Process Conflict For Chiefs

Motaung Jr explained that the pair’s commitment to national duty conflicted with the necessary administrative process for the tour.

“There was a slight challenge with coach Vela and Neo Bohloko; they won’t be travelling,” Motaung Jr confirmed to the press. “When they were overseas for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, they were not here to do biometrics.”

This unavoidable overlap during the critical visa application window unfortunately meant they could not complete the required procedures in time.

In Khumalo’s absence, Dillon Sheppard has stepped in to take charge of the travelling group, a role he is familiar with, having managed the DDC side previously while Khumalo was away.

Motaung Jr acknowledged the loss of the experienced coach: “It’s unfortunate [because] he played a massive role over the years, not just last season. We will be missing him.”

Despite missing the trip, both Khumalo and Bohloko will remain connected to the club’s plans while the team is abroad, with Motaung Jr mentioning they will “spend some time across the road [with the first team], which is going to be interesting.”