With Komphela’s options limited at the back, due to injuries, he was forced to turn to Ngezana at the crucial time of facing reigning African champions Mamelodi Sundowns – a side they had only beaten once in their last seven meetings.
However, the 19-year-old did not disappoint as he bagged a goal and took home the Man of the Match accolade on debut, and Komphela insists he always had the belief in the teenager.
“Last season we had the same [situation] – we knew the quality we had in the Ngezanas and these kids, maybe it was just a question of opportunity,” said Komphela.
“As a coach, do you opt for Ngezana ahead of [Daniel] Cardoso or [Lorenzo] Gordinho, or anybody who was available? Maybe it was a thought that, ‘Is this kid ready?’.
“But I always had a strong belief that he was ready, maybe waiting for the opportunity, and here’s the opportunity. We had a challenge to face and we put [him in], because we had the confidence.
“Even before the match I told him straight, ‘You’re going to score, you’re going to be man of the match’, and that’s exactly what happened.”
With Ngezana having joined midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa as a revelation at Naturena this season, the former junior national team coach feels coaches need to have more guts to throw in youngsters who have the ability, as the modern game tends to favour their qualities.
“It takes two things: guts from coaches and showing from the players. A player shows that he has the ability, and the coach should have guts to play him – that’s it,” he added.
“You can imagine a good player with potential and ability with a coach who doesn’t have faith or guts, or having a coach who’s brave with a player who’s not able – you’re killing yourself. These kids are capable and they can play, so use them.
“And the modern game, unfortunately, based on how it is played, it is played at high speed with high technical qualities. Now who’s quicker? A younger boy. And it is good, as one of the supporters said, for the South African game.
“It is important for coaches to also accept that, and make the Absa Premiership vibrant. With [Nkosingiphile] Ngcobo, I wouldn’t hesitate or think twice to play him, without stress, but give the boy support.”
Ngezana will make his Soweto Derby debut when Chiefs host Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium this afternoon. Kick-off is set for 15h30.