Kaizer Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge coach Vela Khumalo has defended the club for using youngsters in the first team, saying they should be given a chance if they’re delivering.
Chiefs have been under scrutiny for relying on the youngsters, Young Africans SC coach Miguel Gamondi and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi stated this after both beating Chiefs by a four-goal margin.
Amakhosi started most of their matches with a squad that has an average age of 25 years. Currently, the top goalscorer in the club is Mduduzi Shabalala with three goals. Against Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal, Chiefs had Wandile Duba, Shabalala, and Samkelo Zwane with Mfundo Vilakazi being later introduced.
Mngqithi mentioned that maybe Chiefs shouldn’t rely more on too many youngsters, with Khumalo responding with an example of Spanish giants FC Barcelona playing Lamine Yamal and Stellenbosch FC doing well with youngsters.
“I mean, we are all coaches with our different opinions and see things differently,” Khumalo told iDiski Times.
“At the moment, we have a player in Barcelona who is very young and is doing so well, and he is playing. If talent is there and they are capable of delivering why not.
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“Without going further, Stellenbosch they have players that are there, and they are winning trophies.
“I’m not sure maybe if the understanding and interpretation are the same; we all have our own opinions, but I feel that when the players are ready, you play them.”
Chiefs next face rivals Orlando Pirates in the DDC Soweto Derby at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.
