With Kaizer Chiefs having recently handed their teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi a contract extension, the increasing number of PSL clubs rewarding their young talent with first team football has been noticeable in recent seasons.
Chiefs have tied the talented 18-year-old in a deal that will see him stay at Naturena until at least June 2028, having arrived at the club in 2021 for their youth development department and has made huge progress.
Renowned football agent Mike Makaab, who is representing Vilakazi, has compared the youngster to ex-Chiefs star Jabu Mahlangu.
Other young players who have been doing well for their respective clubs include Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC, 23) and Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates, 19), who are arguably contenders for the PSL's Young Player of the Season award, as well as Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns, 17), Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United, 17), Lucky Muthewi (SuperSport United, 17), Luke Baartman (Cape Town Spurs, 17), Shakeel April (Cape Town City, 18), Luphumlo Sifumba (Cape Town City, 18) and Asekho Tiwani (Sekhukhune United, 18), among others.
Football agent and renowned talent scout Rui Frois has been impressed with how clubs worldwide are taking football development seriously.
The Good
"If you look and reflect on modern football, we are seeing a great number of footballers making their derby in the first team at the age of 15, 16 and 17. This goes back to the investment that most clubs are putting into their youth structures. The inspiration has been drawn from the Dutch Total Football system where football clubs hire highly qualified coaches from the under-10 level. In doing so, they instill the culture and game model at a very early age in the development of a footballer. So, by the time these footballers hit the age of 16 and 17, they have had eight years of elite coaching hence you also see the English adopting the structure across all their teams," said Frois, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The Bad
"With players becoming a scarce and highly expensive commodity, teams are deciding from a futuristic perspective and return on investment to develop their own players. So, you get the youngster into your academy at a very tender age, and you build and instill a competitive mentality. You imprint the DNA of the team, and as I've indicated, when this particular footballer reaches the age of 17, he's ready to compete at the highest level. Let's reflect on Liverpool, with Trey Nyoni ready to play at the age of 16 and while still a schoolboy, that's what many teams should also look at doing," he said.
The Ugly
"The only disadvantage about the youngsters is that they can't do it alone, and especially when under pressure, and they need the guidance of the experienced players. That's why it is important to manage their integration into the system very well so as not to put them under pressure. You've got to introduce them gradually so that they can learn and grow steadily," concluded Frois.
Who is your contender for the PSL's Young Player of the Season?
