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.
