Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson says the time is now for him to unleash the youngsters as they prepare to take on Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup round-of-32 encounter at the FNB Stadium at 6.00pm this evening.
The likes of midfield prospect Samkelo Zwane, striker Wandile Duba, and newly promoted dribbling wizard Mfundo Vilakazi will all be in pole position to feature against Milford.
The Nedbank Cup, popularly known as the “David v Goliath” cup competition, is usually an opportunity for teams in the DStv Premiership to rotate their squads and give their fringe players some game time against lower division sides.
Ahead of the clash, Johnson said that despite not believing in squad rotation, he admitted that the time is now for the younger players to raise their hands in training so that they are let loose and given some minutes under their belt.
“It is probably not the best time but, at the same time, it’s also a good time to make sure that we give others a chance and see something different,” Johnson said.
“But the time is now, if they are ready to play and I feel that they are doing enough in training and doing enough as far as the tactical approach is concerned, then I will give them a chance.
“Even though I don’t really believe in rotation, when the time is right, play the player. If he is doing right in training, has the right mentality and energy, and everything is good, then I will play him.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got to put these players through a lot of processes in training, whereby you try to make the situation as realistic as possible because playing for Kaizer Chiefs is different,” Johnson said.
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