Youth will be an asset in Wits’ showdown against Al Ahly

BIDVEST Wits’ youthful element could be crucial for them in their Caf Champions League second round date with eight-time holders Al Ahly, Daine Klate said.

Through their 3-1 win against Saint Louisienne at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday evening‚ Wits will make the daunting trip to Cairo on the weekend of March 10 to 12. Wits beat the team from Reunion 4-3 on aggregate after losing the first leg 2-1 in St Louis.

“We’ve got a few good youngsters who are doing well, for example Reeve Frossler‚ who came on‚ and Phakamani Mahlambi‚” Klate said.

“They’ve played for the South African Under-20 side in youth qualifiers and in their age group championships so they have that bit of experience in that regard.

“They will need the senior players to help them blend in with the challenge in Egypt to see how best they can do and we can do.”

“If you want to get into the group stages‚ you have to get past the big boys.”

Mahlambi was missing from Saturday’s match-day squad but the youngster will be an important cog in Wits’ title-chasing machine.

Sifiso Myeni operated with limited effectiveness on the right wing‚ even though he scored a crucial goal. However‚ his continental experience gained with Orlando Pirates could be invaluable.

He was part of their unsuccessful campaigns for the Champions League (2013) and the Confederations Cup (2015).

Klate said Gavin Hunt’s previous experiences against Al Ahly with SuperSport United would come in handy but the players also needed to lead from the front.

“We’re going to share as much as we can. We know the style of Al Ahly and they’ve been to this stage many times‚” the winger said.

“The crowd is going to be hostile but that’s something we’re looking forward to.”

Platinum Stars won the second leg of their Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round tie 1-0 in Maputo on Saturday to progress 2-0 on aggregate. – TMG Digital/TMG Sport