Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why the club has decided to take a new route of promoting youngsters to the DStv Premiership.
In the previous seasons, Mamelodi Sundowns used to send out their academy graduates out on loan to gain some experience. Now all this has changed as the club is grooming their own talent.
This season, Masandawana promoted striker Cassius Mailula to the senior team after he impressed in the DStv Diski Challenge last season.
Another youngster, Jerome Karelse, may be promoted soon after being named on the bench a few times in the first team.
RULANI MOKWENA ON PROMOTING YOUNGSTERS
Mokwena revealed that whenever they are looking to bolster their squad they will first look at development team first.
“I like this feeling and I think Mamelodi Sundowns supporters likes this feeling where there’s a player they can connect to, because he [Cassius Mailula] comes from the academy,” said Mokwena.
“He has that feeling of the club and what it takes to achieve. When a lot of people are going out to look for players, first for us is to start with the club’s structures first.
“We are trying to teach Jerome [Karelse] a lot of things, he needs a bit of time and patience, but it’s going to come.
“We have to do more on giving these kids an opportunity. It’s important not only for the supporters, but for retaining investment for the club. The club puts a lot of resources into that space.”
MOKWENA GIVES CREDIT TO DEVELOPMENT COACHES
Mokwena further praised the club’s personnel that deal with the youngsters in the development teams for doing a great job in grooming the young talent.
“When you speaking about these players [youngsters], you cannot turn a blind eye to the hard work that’s been done in the academy and development structures by David Notoane, Surprise Moriri, Godfrey Sapula and Shawn Bishop,” he added.
Mailula is now a regular in the senior team. He has played 14 games in all competitions, scored eight goals and provided three assists.
On the other hand, Karelse is still with the development team. He is yet to make his PSL debut.
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