The ideal moment for Chiefs to unleash Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane
Marks Maponyane reckons the time is right for the club to play Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane but believes coach Arthur Zwane is forced to go for experienced players.
The Kaizer Chiefs legend has explained what hinders his former club from playing the talented and young duo of Mduduzi Shabalala (18) and Samkelo Zwane (20).
UNLEASHING YOUNGSTERS
Maponyane is convinced Chiefs’ below-par performances hinders Zwane from giving the youngsters a chance to feature.
However, at the start of the 202/23 season, Chiefs had a complete overhaul. More than 13 players were shown the exit door.
Zwane was appointed as the new coach. He has reiterated that Amakhosi are on a rebuilding mission with young and hungry players getting first preference.
Shabalala and Zwane have been the talk of town, with their coach showering them with praise for their recent performances. The duo had cameos in the Carling Black Label Cup Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates.
Maponyane is of the view that the Amakhosi youth graduates are ready for PSL football but must be introduced under no pressure.
MAPONYANE IMPRESSED BY SHABALALA AND ZWANE
Both players were promoted to the senior team and have played a game each for the first team.
Shabalala scored on his maiden appearance for Chiefs against Maritzburg United in the league. Zwane, who is the son of former Pirates midfielder Eugene Zwane, made his debut against Stellenbosch.
“Zwane and Shabalala, those boys should be thrown into the fray. Not only during a friendly game like the Carling Cup but even in the league,” the legendary Maponyane told FARPost.
“But unfortunately, you also have to be very careful what you say as a former player.
“I have been in that situation. When you are young like that, you don’t just get thrown into the fray when the team is losing 1-0, so Chiefs have to win 2-0 to 3-0, then put in those boys.
“However they seem to battle to win by a decent margin that will allow the coach to play the youngsters.
“And this doesn’t help the quality youngsters that we are seeing, so if they start grinding results, they will be able to blend in those youngsters nicely because they will walk onto the pitch with no pressure.
“And they will just have to go there and express themselves, but with Zwane and Shabalala, I’m happy with what I have seen.”
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