Share

Middendorp gives high praise to Chiefs' academy coaches

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp is happy with how the younger players have stepped up in recent weeks and has lauded the club's academy coaches for doing a sterling job.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, Bruce Bvuma and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya have graduated from the club's academy and have made their debuts recently in the senior team.

Ngcobo played in the 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United on Saturday and the South Africa U20 player never looked out of place.

Middendorp said, as quoted by the IOL website: "There's fantastic work being done at the academy under the leadership of Sundra Govinder and Arthur Zwane.

"They come from there. I only take the risk and have the balls to bring them into the first team.

"But their preparation, it's not the national team that does it or me, the people who do it are these guys in the academy."

Middendorp insists he will not be afraid to give more youngsters opportunities if he feels they are ready.

The German mentor continued: "These guys (in charge of our academy) are responsible for their development and not the so-called guy who are doing something overnight (and suddenly the players) fall like snowfalls from Kilimanjaro. It's unfair! It's simple unfair.

"The clubs' academies are doing a good job. And this is very important, for me and for us to highlight that. Not that somebody is sitting there and has an opinion."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE