Hard work starts for young side
THEY FACE A BIG BATTLE TO STEP UP
Young Downs cock-a-hoop after successful trip.
Following a successful tour to The Netherlands, which saw Mamelodi Sundowns’ reserve team being crowned the MultiChoice International Challenge winners, coach David Notoane says there is still a lot of work to do in terms of producing players able to make the step up to the senior team.
The young Brazilians coach has his sights focused on nurturing quality talent that will be able to join Pitso Mosimane’s squad, a squad that last year won the Absa Premiership and the Caf Champions League.
“We are still far behind, but in terms of success we can say yes, we are starting to push our players into the global space, which is good for the club because Sundowns are operating on a global stage. However, in terms of play, we are still miles behind and that is something very important for coach Mosimane,” said Notoane.
“We are working very hard to produce players that will be able to compete on a global stage for the senior team. We need young players who will be able to see that at Sundowns we are competing at the highest level.”
Notoane made an example of Sundowns academy graduate Percy Tau, who at first struggled to get his footing at the senior team, but has since established himself at the club, winning the Caf Champions League, the Caf Super Cup, competing at the Fifa club World and scoring his first goal for Bafana Bafana during the international friendly against Guinea-Bissau last Saturday.
“If you look at Percy, he came into the academy and had to go on loan. He came back with the right state of mind and knew exactly what was required at the club. His attitude has changed and lately his performances have been elevated. He understands that you play to win first before you showcase your talent,” Notoane added.
“That is the challenge for us at the academy, the level of competition and the realisation that these boys have made it difficult for us coaches. That is the pressure that all the big teams such as Real Madrid have, they have to produce quality players. But at the end of day it takes time. We are a buying club, but now we are looking at being a producing club.”
Another academy graduate, Motjeka Madisha, has struggled to get game time in Mosimane’s side, playing mostly in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. The Downs MDC skipper expressed his delight at winning the competition and learning from the club’s former captain Alje Schut and former coach Johan Neeskens. The players had a chance to meet both Neeskens and Schut while there.
The team arrived back in the country on Sunday night after spending nine days in Europe.