Kaizer Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki has outlined the qualities that academy players should possess before they are promoted to the first team.
Ntseki knows a lot about youngsters as he served in the development department at Chiefs for two years before being appointed the head coach.
In addition Ntseki has coached at junior ranks. Firstly, he was in charge of the South Africa Under-17 national team in 2019. He also has a youth academy called Harmony Academy which produced stars like Tebogo Mokwena and Sipho Mbule.
So far this season, the former Bafana Bafana coach haven’t been using youngsters too much. The likes of Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane have been making appearances coming from the bench. As for Wandile Duba, he’s yet to make an appearance.
MOLEFI NTSEKI ON WHAT IT TAKES TO PROMOTE ACADEMY PLAYERS
“You promote a player because they got the qualities that you need in the first team and I think it’s not only about the talent. It’s also about the personality,” said Ntseki.
“I think the most important thing now when it comes to the younger players we need to build them. We need to build in them first team personality, it comes with so much pressure.
“It’s not only for him to be on the pitch to enjoy himself, you have to play within the structure. You have to respect the opponents you also have to give yourself, you have to give your A-game.”
MOLEFI NTSEKI SAYS ACADEMY PLAYERS SHOULD BE MATURE
Ntseki further stressed the issue of maturity saying academy players should be mature once promoted to the senior team.
“But most important you’re talking of typical maturity, it’s very important that’s why all the senior players have got a high level of technical maturity because they’ve been in the game for long.
“For youngsters, it’s important as a coach to teach and to develop technical maturity in them. Technical maturity comes with the structure and the discipline in possession and possession why are you carrying the ball, why are you playing as quick as you can,” he added.
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