Steve gets the youth going
Chiefs coach praised for trusting younger players
Whether Steve Komphela is retained or let go at the end of the season, his legacy at Kaizer Chiefs will be his promotion of development players to the first team.
The latest youngster to be handed a debut by Komphela is left-wing back Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.
The lad from Bizana in the Eastern Cape made his opener for Amakhosi in their goalless league draw against SuperSport United a fortnight ago.
Renowned development expert and former Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan has applauded the team for giving untested players a chance.
“I like what they are doing a lot because we are seeing a flow of players to the first team from the ranks,” Khan told Sowetan.
“I like [Siyabonga] Ngezana very much because he is an old-style kind of defender and he’s playing regularly.”
Khan warned, though, that this must be coupled with development to turn them into star players.
“It’s key that the younger players don’t just make up the numbers.
“When I was at Chiefs with Muhsin Ertugral we brought up the likes of Gerald Sibeko and Jabu Pule. The other question is whether the current crop will emulate that generation.”
A look at the other promising players under Komphela.
WISEMAN MEYIWA: The midfielder had a dream debut against Cape Town City where he scored in the team’s 2-0 win last September. Meyiwa became the youngest Chiefs goal-scorer, at the time 17.
SIYABONGA NGEZANA: The nononsense defender became the second debutant after Meyiwa to score on a debut for Chiefs this season, announcing his arrival with a header against Mamelodi Sundowns in Chiefs’ 2-1 win in October. The 20-year-old from eTholeni in KZN has been solid in defence and has at times kept Bafana Bafana international Erick Mathoho on the bench. KHOTSO MALOPE: The midfielder had a winning start at Chiefs after the 2-0 win over Maritzburg United in September. Malope, 23, had loan spells at Moroka Swallows and Thanda Royal Zulu. BRUCE BVUMA: In the unlikely event of Itumeleng Khune and Brilliant Khuzwayo being injured, Bvuma, 22, made his appearance for Chiefs in the 3-2 loss to Cape Town City in April; had two tough games where late goals ruled them out of title contention .