Ndamane: Why Leaving Chiefs Was a Blessing in Disguise

Khulumani Ndamane has shed light on his departure from Kaizer Chiefs, describing the move to TS Galaxy as a necessary step for his growth.

The 21-year-old defender – who hails from Sahlumbe in KwaZulu-Natal – joined Chiefs in 2023 after successful trials and featured for both their Under-19 and DStv Diski Challenge sides. Despite his progress, a first-team opportunity never came.

“It wasn’t painful because, like I said, there are so many of us in football,” Ndamane told a local publication on Thursday, 23 October.

“If opportunity doesn’t come where you are and you need to grow as a player, you need to know that your wishes will not always happen your way.[sic]”

After leaving Amakhosi on a free transfer, Ndamane quickly established himself as a defensive mainstay at TS Galaxy, earning three Bafana Bafana caps within a year. He insists his Chiefs exit was not due to wrongdoing but to ambition.

I didn’t do anything wrong [at Chiefs]. My story is different [to Puso Dithejane], I didn’t do anything wrong and nothing bad happened,” he explained. “At Galaxy, we are given that leeway to make mistakes while growing mentally in the game.”

Now linked with Mamelodi Sundowns, Ndamane’s decision appears to have set him firmly on course for a bright future.

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