Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has suggested the youngsters emerging the squad have the quality to compete for starting berths as much as the senior players.
Siyabonga Mabena, Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi, Kutlwano Letlaku and Malinbongwe Khoza have been among the DStv Diski Challenge players who featured heavily in Sundowns pre-season preparations.
Letlaku, who joined the club last season from the School of Excellence, earned a start against Stellenbosch in their second league MTN8 semi-final defeat before the FIFA international break.
It’s been suggested that Sundowns are looking to develop these promising talents in the first team this season amongst the core of highly experienced players, as they aim to alleviate the work load in a massively congested fixture schedule this campaign.
“To be honest I will prioritise players who are playing well, a chance to play, and that is regardless if they are youngsters or senior players,” he said when asked by iDiski Times about his responsibility to develop youth.
“Kutlwano got a chance to [start] against Stellenbosch based on the way he played in the first round when they came here, it was a no-brainer not to give him a start to see what he can offer – and as expected, sometimes young players are inconsistent.
“But in a match where I think he did not have a very good match, but he still created a very good chance for Madau and if it were score, maybe we would be speaking a different story. Be that as it may – it will always depend on what the players are showing.
“If you look how Mabena performed in the DDC this past weekend, he was exceptional and Kutlwano, who had played in the first team, because youngsters fluctuate like this, did not give the performance one would have expected but now Mabena is coming [with form].”
The Sundowns coach pointed out to the Mabena, Letlaku scenario, with the South Africa U20 attackers both vying for the same position in the first team.
Added to their competition, Kobamelo Kodisang, Tashreeq Matthews are also options in that wide forward role this season.
“Mabena started pre-season hot, he was very strong, when we played Sekhukhune before Austria [camp], Mabena was on fire and in Austria, he showed good signs but we understand youngsters don’t stay consistent as you would want them to be,” he continued.
“Now Kutlwano doesn’t have a game like Mabena [in DDC] but it doesn’t mean Mabena is now ahead, you could be surprised that Kutlwano now reclaims his place on Saturday [due to training] but youngsters you must expect fluctuation.
“But at Sundowns, there’s no room for that, so the youngsters must also learn quite fast, they have to stay consistent but honestly speaking, the youngsters in the first team, I think they are as close as everyone else to playing matches.”
Sundowns take on Mbabane Swallows in their first leg CAF Champions League 2nd round preliminary qualifier on Satutday at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium (20h00).
