Arthur Zwane has insisted he will continue to hand youngsters like Samkelo Zwane their first-team debuts and would even throw in a 15-year-old, if he had the talent to shine.
Zwane handed the 20-year-old son of former Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos midfielder Eugene Zwane his first senior appearance in his side’s 3-1 comeback-win over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday.
He praised the youngster for his qualities, saying he plays with the Chiefs mentality and explained why he handed him his debut.
“That’s what we teach in our development, that arrogance – demand the ball, to protect the ball,” Zwane told reporters.
“You must boss that midfield when you play. He can play as an 8, he can play as a 6, so we had to give him the opportunity today, reason being we wanted him to slow the game down.
“He’s got good technical ability as well as vision, so he switch the ball with ease and generate so much power.
“Like I said earlier on, it’s good for us to give these boys the opportunities. Like I said earlier on, he’s going in there and doing like he did – he still believe he could’ve done much better because the quality he’s got as a player.”
Zwane also insisted that he will continue to look at young players, having himself coached in Chiefs’ junior ranks for many years, and wouldn’t be afraid to play a 15-year-old.
“This will encourage other youngsters to work even harder,” he added.
“I know them very well, I spent most of the time in the development, so if we have to give another youngster who is 15 years old the opportunity we’ll do that.”
Chiefs continue their DStv Premiership campaign against Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
