Ramoreboli Confirms Chiefs Wonderkid Was Nearly a Galaxy Player
Former Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli has revealed that he once tried to sign Kaizer Chiefs academy product Xolani Cossa, confirming long-standing interest in the promising left-back. Cossa, a key part of Chiefs’ championship-winning DStv Diski Challenge side last season, has since moved to Botswana—now shining for Black Lions FC under ex-Orlando Pirates coach Owen da Gama.
Ramoreboli, now head coach of the Botswana national team, explained how the transfer was close to being completed before Chiefs halted the move. According to him, Amakhosi indicated that Cossa was being considered for first-team promotion, forcing Galaxy to withdraw and the youngster to remain in the Diski Challenge for another season.
Why the Move Collapsed
Ramoreboli told iDiski Times that he had already agreed terms with Chiefs’ development head Vela Khumalo, but the club’s intentions changed late in the process.
“We had finalised things, but when it looked like he could be promoted to the senior team, we had to stop the move. He then played another season in the DDC.”
The coach went further, suggesting that Chiefs’ demand for immediate results makes it difficult for young players like Cossa to break into the senior squad.
“It’s always difficult at Chiefs. They want consistency, they want wins. They don’t have time to experiment.”
Ramoreboli argued that this pressure limits opportunities for prospects who may need patience and competitive exposure before becoming first-team ready—drawing comparisons with Aden McCarthy, who benefitted from international experience with the CHAN team.
A Spotlight on Kaizer Chiefs’ Development Path
The discussion comes at a time when Amakhosi are under scrutiny for not producing young players who consistently dominate the South African football landscape. While emerging talents like Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi continue to rise, others—such as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Wandile Duba—are still fighting to fulfil their early potential.
Cossa’s resurgence in Botswana, coupled with Ramoreboli’s praise, reignites the debate about whether Chiefs are maximising their academy pipeline—or losing promising players because “there is no time to experiment.”