Cape Town - Head coach Steve Komphela has backed Kaizer Chiefs youngsters Khotso Malope, Wiseman Meyiwa and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo for a bright future in the game.
Malope has featured for the first team of late, showing his potential during a Maize Cup game and also making an impact off the bench in the few minutes he played in the 1-0 Carling Black Label Champion Cup win over Orlando Pirates.
Komphela was full of praise for the 22-year-old play-maker, who spent last season on loan with First Division winners Thanda Royal Zulu.
"Once again (the player) I would mention apart from everybody else is Malope. He went in and made a difference, he did well," Komphela told KickOff.
"He should have scored as well but one thing that struck me is that soon after that missed opportunity, he never dropped his shoulders. The next pass he received he showed the right levels of arrogance."
Meyiwa and Ngcobo also showed great promise in last season's reserve league (MDC), with Ngcobo captaining the side, while Meyiwa represented South Africa at the Under-17 and U-20 World Cups.
In addition, young striker Ryan Moon netted twice in succession for Bafana Bafana in their Chan qualifying campaign, while goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma was on Monday added to the senior national team squad for their final qualifying games against Zambia.
"I am sure we have about 10 players in our squad below the age of 22," said Komphela.
"We have 17-year-old Ngcobo, given a chance he can play. He won't feel the difference in age because of the quality of his ability.
"You have Wiseman Meyiwa with two World Cups on his shoulders. He is with us, he is 18 years old - you can get 12 years out of him. So when you look at it long term you will realise based on the squad we have and their ages, there is a bright future."