KAIZER Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is leading the charge in reviving the club's youth academy, after it was abruptly shut down three years ago due to an age-cheating scandal.
Baxter, who won the Absa Premiership and Nedbank Cup in his first season with Amakhosi, is now in the final year of his contract and is hoping to deliver on his promise to spearhead Chiefs' efforts to restore pride in the youth structures.
The Englishman has an option to renew his stay with the club at the end of his contract.
Baxter's plans have been clear during pre-season, having so far opted to bring defenders Lorenzo Gordinho, 18, and Simphiwe Mtsweni, 19, into the first team instead of signing prominent names. Knowledge Musona, who returns to Chiefs on a season-long loan, has been the only big-name recruit.
Team manager Bobby Motaung has confirmed that the Glamour Boys will make announcements in the coming days regarding the youth academy. Gordinho was promoted from Chiefs' makeshift youth set-up in January, while Mtsweni was signed from Farouk Khan's Star of Africa academy last month.
The two got a run against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Gauteng Cup at the weekend, with Amakhosi winning the match 4-1.
Because of the format used in Chiefs' final pre-season clash when they face Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the Black Label Cup on Saturday afternoon, Gordinho and Mtsweni will almost certainly miss out. The fans vote for their preferred starting line-ups for the match at Soccer City.
"Last season was the first phase for Stuart, which was the team's style of play and getting them to win things," said Motaung. "We've got a plan on the structure of our academy and we had made it clear to the coach when he arrived last season. He is the right man to find that balance for all of this to work."
Baxter's background supports Motaung's statement.
He began his career as coach of a Swedish youth team and has had a two-year spell as England's under-19 mentor from 2002 to 2004.
"He's passionate about the youth and is excited about what the club is doing at the moment. But we can't yet put timelines on this project. It is all a work in progress," said Motaung.
The league champions have been criticised for their inactivity in the transfer market.
"I think it is not that we are not signing prominent names, it is more about the type of players the coach wants. They have to fit into the coach's plans and it often takes time to find those kind of players without paying a lot," said Motaung.
Baxter to revive Chiefs' academy
KAIZER Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is leading the charge in reviving the club's youth academy, after it was abruptly shut down three years ago due to an age-cheating scandal.
Baxter, who won the Absa Premiership and Nedbank Cup in his first season with Amakhosi, is now in the final year of his contract and is hoping to deliver on his promise to spearhead Chiefs' efforts to restore pride in the youth structures.
The Englishman has an option to renew his stay with the club at the end of his contract.
Baxter's plans have been clear during pre-season, having so far opted to bring defenders Lorenzo Gordinho, 18, and Simphiwe Mtsweni, 19, into the first team instead of signing prominent names. Knowledge Musona, who returns to Chiefs on a season-long loan, has been the only big-name recruit.
Team manager Bobby Motaung has confirmed that the Glamour Boys will make announcements in the coming days regarding the youth academy. Gordinho was promoted from Chiefs' makeshift youth set-up in January, while Mtsweni was signed from Farouk Khan's Star of Africa academy last month.
The two got a run against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Gauteng Cup at the weekend, with Amakhosi winning the match 4-1.
Because of the format used in Chiefs' final pre-season clash when they face Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the Black Label Cup on Saturday afternoon, Gordinho and Mtsweni will almost certainly miss out. The fans vote for their preferred starting line-ups for the match at Soccer City.
"Last season was the first phase for Stuart, which was the team's style of play and getting them to win things," said Motaung. "We've got a plan on the structure of our academy and we had made it clear to the coach when he arrived last season. He is the right man to find that balance for all of this to work."
Baxter's background supports Motaung's statement.
He began his career as coach of a Swedish youth team and has had a two-year spell as England's under-19 mentor from 2002 to 2004.
"He's passionate about the youth and is excited about what the club is doing at the moment. But we can't yet put timelines on this project. It is all a work in progress," said Motaung.
The league champions have been criticised for their inactivity in the transfer market.
"I think it is not that we are not signing prominent names, it is more about the type of players the coach wants. They have to fit into the coach's plans and it often takes time to find those kind of players without paying a lot," said Motaung.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos