Mamelodi Sundowns tactician Rulani Mokwena has explained why there's slow progress in terms of youngsters coming through to the first team.
The likes of Kaizer Chiefs have had youngsters from the youth ranks given game-time in the senior team, among these Mduduzi Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane, Wandile Duba and recently Mfundo Vilakazi.
Orlando Piratesalso last season unleashed their young star from the academy, Relebohile Mofokeng, who has become a regular feature in the line-up.
Apart from the rise of Cassius Mailula, as a success story from the Sundowns academy, there has been little to no youngsters making it into the Brazilians' regular line-up.
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Mokwena, speaking to the media ahead of their Nedbank Cup Last 16 clash against Maritzburg United, says the main reason is because he is still looking after and supporting the older players, as in South Africa when players reach their late 30s they are normally written off.
"You know, I was watching Porto vs Arsenal and I was amazed at Pepe's level (Pepe, at 41, became the oldest outfield player to ever play a UEFA Champions League game). Amazed, and I sat back and said, you know, I don't think we understand the amount of sacrifice, commitment, lifestyle changes, diet, nutrition, recovery, rest that it takes for the older players. We make a lot (of noise) about the younger ones," he revealed.
"I don't think a lot of credit is given to older players who are still going and pushing and still maintaining a high competitive level in professional football. Pepe marshalled that defence like he has just come into professional football.
"The other day, Real Madrid was playing against Sevilla. You saw the level of (Luka) Modric (at 38). Incredible. On the other side, you saw the level of Ramos (at 37), and you ask yourself why these older players should get less credit?
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"We make a lot of noise about, 'Ah, give youngsters a chance', but what about the guys you still support when they are 36, 37? A lot of people write them off, do you know what I mean? And when they can still perform, why not give them credit?", he quizzed.
"I'm always looking at things differently. As much as I like giving youngsters an opportunity, but they also have got to earn their stripes and sometimes I think in South Africa, we rush them too quickly, we hype them," added Mokwena.
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