Dolly and Kwinika team up to guide Chiefs’ youth academy graduates

Keagan Dolly and Zitha Kwinika have pledged to play a big-brother role to help guide Kaizer Chiefs‘ recent youth academy graduates to settle into the team.

The duo admits that seniors play have a mandate of moulding the rookies as Chiefs’ aim to have the new crop become influential players.

Late last year, coach Arthur Zwane stated the need to bolster his squad during the usually busy January player transfer window in an attempt to turn the club’s fortunes for the better.

In fact, a number of reserve team players had training with the first team with high hopes of registering them for the second stanza of the 2022/23 season.

This also follows the likes of Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi, Samkelo Zwane and Wandile Duba, who have already been integrated into the team.

While their potential to become top stars remains undoubted, Dolly reiterates that the rookies still need to be guided on and off the field of play.

WHY IT IS VITAL FOR THE ROCKIES TO BE GUIDED

“It’s very important for us to try and help them on and off the field, but for us, it’s mainly to lead by example on the field, that is, to carry ourselves like professionals and just try to talk to them when we get the time in team building,” said Dolly.

“But the boys that got the opportunity to play right now are very humble. They know what it takes to be part of the team.”

What thrusts this crop of academy graduates under the spotlight is the fact that most of the club’s junior products in recent times have struggled to become big stars who dominate local football.

These include the likes of Siyabonga Ngezana, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, and Sabelo Radebe, who are yet to reach their peak despite being given playing opportunities.

Kwinika, who also rose through the ranks into the first team, also reckons it’s critical for senior players to help rookies establish themselves.

“I think it’s important because I’ve been where they are, so I understand the behaviour, so honestly, it’s upon us, as Keagan has said that we must show them the way on what we need to do and what not to do,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, we are all footballers, we can only control on the field, but if you don’t take my advice, then it’s something else.”

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