Kaizer Chiefs elder statesmen put on notice in youth drive

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed plans to cut down the average age of their squad which is obviously bad news for some older players.

The club’s sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr is desperate to see the average age of their squad lowered.

Motaung feels that this would be sound practice as Kaizer Chiefs look to build their future.

Kaizer Chiefs not a retirement village

He undoubtedly wants the club to mirror successful teams around the world who balance youth and experience expertly.

“I think it’s key for everyone to understand.

“Something the club is always going to say, that youth is part of our main strategy,” Motaung said at a sponsorship launch.

“We have to reduce the average age of the team. And it’s not just us. f you look at world football and how you can bring the right change, most clubs have had a great balance in youth, and you have to start somewhere.”

Soccer Laduma

Motaung added that Kaizer Chiefs have a rich tradition of developing talent.

“Most of the players and legends who have donned our jersey who have made us who we are today started as teenagers, whether it’s Doctor (Khumalo), whether it’s our own chairperson who was 16, whether it’s Thabo Mooki. It’s part of our culture and vision, it’s who we are and we can’t deviate from that,” he explained.

“Of course you’ve got to have the right balance of quality youth and quality experience. That’s how the squads have always been balanced and structured before. It must be the right mix. It’s a massive component for us.”

Champions League heroics

Motaung pointed to the successes of the youngsters in the Caf Champions League campaign last year as a pointer.

“If you look at CAF. We achieved a piece of personal history and in the game (against Horoya) that got us into the knockout stages we had five players from the academy on the field. So that tells you something fits and works for us,” Motaung Jnr said.

“So I think it is clearly lacking the right balance between the right level of experience, the right quality, and the right quality in youth. And it’s a massive point for me, in terms of my responsibility, to reduce the average age of the squad.”