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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town defender Yagan Sasman says he ready to prove his worth in the Premiership side's first-team after making a long-awaited debut.
Since joining the club as 10-year-old, Sasman rose through the ranks effortlessly and was part of the golden generation group that included Riyad Norodien, Rivaldo Coetzee, Aboubakr Mobara and Tashreeq Morris.
The lanky left-back, who is equally adept at centre-back, has long been tipped a future star at the Urban Warriors and even spent time at training with Ajax Amsterdam in his youth days.
However, due to the fierce competition for positions in the first-team set-up, Sasman failed to break into former head coach Roger de Sa's starting XI and featured prominently in the Multi Choice Diski Challenge.
Now, with Stanley Menzo at the helm, the academy graduate has finally forced his way into the reckoning due to his impressive form with the reserve team and an injury to captain Mosa Lebusa in defence.
"The new league (MDC) has been valuable in allowing players like myself to get game time, build experience and gain confidence," he told IOL. "(So) I was ready and I think I did well in my (PSL) debut.
"For me, it was much easier when coach Menzo took over because I understood his style and approach because of his Ajax Amsterdam background," he added. "The coach knows what I can do.
"I knew what he wanted from us as players and that, I think, helped me when he needed someone to step in (for) Mosa."
