Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has given insight into how he makes the final call to give the club's teenagers an opportunity to feature in first team matches in the top flight.
Despite having a number of quality senior players and usually being under pressure to win at all costs, Sundowns have managed to give youngsters coming through the DStv Diski Challenge an opportunity to feature.
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Siyabonga Mabena (17), Kutlwano Letlhako (17) and Ntando Nkosi (19) are players Mokwena has given game-time to this season. They have come through the ranks at the club and Mokwena has explained that he is not giving the youngsters an opportunity just for show.
"It's about me watching their games, me getting feedback from coach Themba (Badela) and the DDC coaches and also hearing from the sporting director and assistant sporting director about their progress. Everybody tracks their performances and I've had them at training. You guys only see the match and the opportunity on matchday, but I've had them since the AFCON break.
"We took them to Polokwane and they played a couple of friendlies with us. Even when they have trained with the DDC, I've asked coach Themba to work on certain things with them. When they are ready for our environment, we will play them. We do it when it's right because how do you explain to the senior players, when you are giving a boy a chance but it's only for show. It's not fair. So, we try to be fair and give opportunities to the kids. But also they have to be ready to help the team to win games and that's the most important thing."
Sundowns have found a good balance of using their star players while giving young players a chance to prove themselves, with the likes of Percy Tau, the late Motjeka Madisha and Cassius Mailula coming through their ranks over the years.
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