Uthini?
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp explained that Dumisani Zuma and Ryan Moon have not been featuring regularly in the first team because they have not had enough training sessions since their injuries. Middendorp also acknowledged the potential the two young attackers have and added that they will be playing this weekend against Magic FC.
Sonwabo Bottoman did not buy into the coach's words, saying that Middendorp fails to nurture young talent and questioning why the players are expected to improve even though they don't play:
"It's very bad to know one's potential and you don't nurture that. What good does it do to bench players and expect improvement?"
- Blogger: Sonwabo Bottoman
Is it fair to say that Middendorp has not been nurturing young talent, especially considering that he brought through Happy Mashiane, for example, who even featured in the Soweto Derby?
Bubbles says that coaches are under pressure to win at Chiefs, resulting in a less nurturing environment for youngsters at the club. The Soccer Laduma reader feels that youngsters at Amakhosi are not being given a fair chance to shine as a result:
"Most coaches, when they come to Chiefs, they are under pressure to win the games. That is the reason why our young players don't feature in their squad. That building mentality and finding a winning combination is not there. So our youth won't be given a fair chance… Why are we still playing the likes of [George] Maluleka, [Bernard] Parker, in this period? They can't keep up with the pace and stamina of these young boys. Ho thata mo PSL [it's hard here in the PSL] lately…"
- Blogger: Bubbles
Bubbles may be right to say that coaches at a club like Chiefs are under pressure to win games and that they find themselves resorting to keeping faith with older players in the hope of getting fast results.
Siyabonga Pamla expressed his frustration at Middendorp, and believes the German is destroying players such as Zuma as they are capable of doing good in the first team:
"Zuma is a good player, I don't understand why he is not playing a quality player like him. Coach, you are destroying him. Also, [Siphelele] Ntshangase and [Kabelo] Mahlasela are not playing. Coach, we don't want to watch a dull game, you put special players on the bench. Please, these are game-changers."
- Blogger: Siyabonga Pamla
Is Middendorp doing enough to promote Chiefs' youth? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below!
