Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana has lifted the lid on the demands of their training camp in Polokwane, which has rattled a few youngsters.
Sundowns have been preparing for the resumption of the DStv Premiership with a training camp in Polokwane and Kekana has explained that one of the features at their training at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium has been integrating youngsters into the senior setup.
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The Brazilians have five youngsters currently training with the senior team and the former SuperSport United utility player outlined their role as senior players in helping them adjust to the demands of first team football.
"I think the youngsters are showing a lot of quality, a lot of desire, they are willing to work hard, which is the mentality that's needed to play here at Sundowns," Kekana told the club's media, in an interview conducted by goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene on their official YouTube Channel.
"So we've got a group of youngsters who just need a little bit of guidance for them to step up on the big stage.
"I mean we've seen it so far this season with Cassius (Mailula), I think Cassius has been doing well and he's setting an example for the ones that are coming after him," he said.
"So I just think just need to protect them, hold them and make sure they work hard, so when their chance comes they are able to avail themselves."
Mweene revealed that he noticed that some youngsters were struggling to cope with the first team training methods in the first few days of the camp, as Kekana went on to stress the importance of guiding these youngsters, to shield them from the wrath of coaches.
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After the emergence of Mailula, other youngsters knocking on the first team door at Masandawana include Ntando Nkosi and Bongolwethu Siyasi, who both featured in the Carling Black Label Cup tournament.
"I think the youngsters need to be reminded all the time, the little reminders that 'Go in for the tackle, make that extra run, go an extra yard'," the 30-year old said.
"For us as seniors players to keep reminding them to keep doing these things so that it ends up coming to them without us having to tell them.
"So it's gonna be essential for us to continue doing that, playing that part so that they adapt quicker to to the intensity of the training, the intensity of the games," he carried on.
"Because we press high, we do a lot of runs, I think we run more than any other team, so it's gonna be important for us keep reminding them to keep doing these things so that they are able to get used to them and adapt to how things are done in the first team," he added.
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