Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has praised the club’s
academy staff for the hard work they have put in to ensure the success of
their youngsters.
The 36-year-old coach has been instrumental in giving youth players a
chance to prove their worth in the first team, with Cassius Mailula and
Ntando Nkosi making their debuts this season.
Speaking at a press conference, Mokwena said: “The talent of Cassius, the
talent of Siya (Siyanda Nyanga), the talent of (Thando) Buthelezi, the
talent of Jerome (Karelse) is a reflection of the hard work that has been
put by the academy staff. So very good compliments have to go to people
like Shawn Bishop, David Notoane, Sam Mbatha, Surprise Moriri. These are
the people that work tirelessly to make sure that the players are good
enough to be able to play for the first team.”
The former Orlando Pirates assistant coach went on to explain that he is
inspired by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson when it
comes to giving youngsters opportunities in the first team.
“Maybe the one master of that was Sir Alex Ferguson and in his book he
says, ‘All that talent wants is an opportunity to be used’ and that’s what
we have to try our level best to give opportunities for these talented
kids to demonstrate their talent. But for sure that is just a reflection
of the investment of the football club and the investment of the academy
staff and people that work tirelessly to make sure that they are good
enough to be here at this level,” he said.
