Few clubs have mastered the art of playing academy graduates and winning trophies like Barcelona did under Pep Guardiola, and Mamelodi Sundowns are showing that they do this better than anyone in the PSL.
When Siyabonga Mabena came on for Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane on Tuesday night, it reminded me the day Lionel Messi was introduced in his Barcelona debut for Portugal legend Deco against Espanyol in 2004, as the superstar joined Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol as first team players who had come from the academy at La Masia.
By the time Guardiola was appointed head coach of the Catalans, these four players had established themselves as experienced campaigners at Barcelona and the manager could not play without them in his starting line-up. As someone who worked for Barcelona B - the reserve side, Guardiola went on to give first team debuts to promoted youngsters Sergio Busquets and Pedro, and was still able to dominate Spanish football, and win the biggest prize in European football - the UEFA Champions League.
Does this not have a similar feel to what's been happening at Sundowns? It certainly does. They have coach Rulani Mokwena, who was previously in the youth structures of the club, while the promotion of young players from the academy has been happening for some time now. From Percy Tau and the late Motjeka Madisha, to Sphelele Mkhulise and now Cassius Mailula, Sundowns have done pretty well to stay successful while giving their products an opportunity.
Sundowns have also given themselves room to take risks. There is no denying that the gap they have opened at the top of the DStv Premiership standings gives Mokwena an opportunity to rotate the squad and this means the likes of Mabena, Ntando Nkosi and Jerome Karelse will get more action before the end of the season. And the more time they spend rubbing shoulders with players such as Zwane, Peter Shalulile, Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams on the pitch, the more they will grow.
These young players also have an opportunity to travel the continent in the Champions League and that can only have a positive impact.
Sundowns have certainly made the environment perfect for youngsters to come up and learn as early as possible in their careers and understand what winning is all about. They are creating monsters at a young age and there is no telling what more will come from them in the next few years. Another Tau? Or another Mailula? There is good reason to be excited.
Of course, not all the club's development products have been successful, but the team can be happy with the progress they have made over the years, considering that a lot of the public sees them as a club that only spends money on big players.
Kaizer Chiefs have done well to promote a number of players from their Diski Challenge side over the years, but the challenge is that the players have come through during a difficult period for the Soweto giants and the club's barren run has at times overshadowed the progress they make.
