Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he is inspired by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in giving youngsters opportunities in the first team.
Sundowns promoted Cassius Mailula at the beginning of the season from the academy and Mailula has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, with Mokwena playing a big role in showing trust in the abilities of the youngster, whose rise has seen him become one of the standout players this season.
Mokwena says he will continue to give youngsters opportunities after Ntando Nkosi made his debut in the line-up while Siyanda Nyanga made his first appearance off the bench both against Stellenbosch.
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The 36-year old coach applauded their academy coaches and says they are good enough at this level and he's not just giving hand outs.
"Not easy for them, we have to give them all the support we can. 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," Mokwena said in a press conference.
"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.
"Because it's not charity to hand out and hand out debuts, players have to be good enough and I think they demonstrated, Ntando made his debut, he demonstrated that he can get to this level and compete," he said.
The Soweto native tactician went on and quoted Sir Alex Ferguson as a motivation they try to live by at the club, in so far as youngsters are concerned.
"So a lot of compliments and praise needs to go to the academy staff, number one, number two to the football club for the investments that they make into the academy and then we try our level best to give opportunities," he carried on.
"And 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 added.
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