How SA U23 coach could benefit from Chiefs’ Arthur Zwane
Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane is among the few coaches who are brave enough to throw youngsters in the deep end.
Zwane has shown faith in Chiefs’ development graduates such as Samkelo Zwane, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba as he continues to build a squad that will challenge for trophies.
SA Under-23 coach David Notoane is impressed by how DStv Premiership giants Chiefs have been confident deploying U-23 players.
Notoane is confident that budding stars such as Shabalala and Zwane will bring valuable experience to his team as they bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].
SA-U23 date Congo in the third and final round of the Under-23 AFCON qualifiers this month.
And as they head into the crunch back-to-back matches, the coach has praised Amakhosi star Shabalala.
In truth, the coach is hoping and praying to lure the trio to represent SA in future assignments.
HOW THE CHIEFS YOUNGSTERS HAVE MESMERIZED NOTOANE
“What is more exciting is to see the players being given an opportunity to play senior football,” Notoane told FARPost.
“Mdu Shabalala played in the Soweto Derby, so I think that’s a good indication.
“In our thinking, we are really going to have a really strong national team with such talented players, especially in the big teams.
Shabalala has been on a steady rise in the DStv Premiership as he has been a top performer at Chiefs.
The 19-year-old has so far scored two goals for Chiefs with one assist to his name.
Samkelo Zwane, who played well sometime last tear in the U-23 AFCON qualifiers against Togo, has also been thriving under coach Arthur Zwane at Chiefs.
“Over the years, these players were not being given an opportunity. It’s good that the players are now being elevated and that they are consistent,” added the SA U-23.
“It’s exciting and encouraging knowing the quality and what these youngsters can do. When they come to us, they will be at the top level.
“You can pick up any of them, knowing what they offer. It really excites me, and we can only wait for them to come.”
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