Salomon Kalou in awe of Chiefs’ world-class village

The 2015 AFCON winner spent time at Naturena this week alongside club chairman Kaizer Motaung and his childhood idol, Doctor Khumalo – an experience he says left a lasting impression.

Speaking to SABC Sport, the 40-year-old praised the Amakhosi headquarters for its professionalism and world-class setup.

"I was really impressed by how amazing this facility is. It's great to see a team on the African continent with such a great facility.

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Kalou himself runs a youth academy in his native country and says what he saw at Chiefs served as an immense inspiration.

He reveals that his brother, Bonaventure, was also a huge admirer of Bafana Bafana and Chiefs legend Khumalo.

"Growing up, my brother was given the nickname Doctor Khumalo because he had the same skills as Doctor. So when I told him I was going to the village, he said please get Doctor's shirt for me."

Kalou adds that the Ivory Coast national team of his generation often modelled their game on Bafana’s 1996 AFCON-winning side.