Larsen happy to fish for new talent
Clinton Larsen is a coach who enjoys fishing from the well of Golden Arrows youngsters who play in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, and is not afraid to throw the rookies into the deep end, while remaining patient and mentoring them in the hope they can become household names.
“We have got a lot of young players in our team and they are going to take time to flourish but we are patient, we take time and we give them the opportunity,” said Larsen. He added: “I think we have seen in the past that the likes of Nduduzo Sibiya and Velemseni Ndwandwe are key players who finished the season very strongly for us. Those are young players who we gave a chance to and we will continue to do that because we have to,” said Larsen at the back of his side’s elimination in the MTN8 at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns.
It is not only Larsen and his technical team’s responsibility to mentor the youngsters, as he extends the duty to senior team players such as long-time servant Musa Bilankulu.
“We also have got some great professionals who are a positive influence for the young boys – the likes of Limbikani Mzwava, Musa, Danny Venter, Danisa Phiri, Lerato Lamola – and now Siyanda Zwane who has just joined us.
“What we are trying to do is to just get the right blend in terms of having those experienced players in the team and also bring the young players through. It is a process we are enjoying because we believe that with more time this team could be more formidable,” said Larsen.
Abafana Bes’thende have only managed one win in four since the start of the new season, losing two and drawing one. Larsen says his team – like most Absa Premiership sides – will take some time before they find their feet.
“Sundowns have been active so you’d expect them to have a little more rhythm than the other teams but I think we see this every other season, where it takes about four games for teams to find their match fitness which then improves the rhythm of the play. It is going to be exactly the same for us.”