Josef Zinnbauer says if players are ready to play a role and they fit into his tactical plan for a match‚ they will be fielded regardless of age. This follows Orlando Pirates handing a debut to 18-year-old Azola Tshobeni against Maritzburg United on Saturday.

Youth product Tshobeni put in a good shift in Pirates’ 1-0 DStv Premiership win against Maritzburg at Harry Gwala Stadium‚ working hard and showing skills and an ability to carry the ball forward playing in midfield alongside Thabang Monare.

Started by coach Zinnbauer‚ the teen displayed calmness and maturity on the ball beyond his 18 years in his 77 minutes before being replaced by Siphesihle Ndlovu.

Zinnbauer said he was happy with the contribution of the teen‚ as he has in the last two games by that of influential 23-year-old left-back Bongani Sam.

“We said this before – we said that all players will give us a good performance and it’s important as a coach that you follow the tactical [necessities]‚ and what we need in the plan and need in the game‚” Bucs’ coach said on Tshobeni’s showing.

“With Azola‚ he understands what we want. Sam does also‚ but Sam was always injured – he was not always available.

“Now is the first time in my time [as coach] that he has been available for 90 minutes. And now I hope we get the good recovery‚ and Azola also.

“And we will have to see in the next game if we give him a little break. It’s not a lot of time now for a break‚ but we have to see what happens in the next game.

“I’m happy about both of these players.”

Tshobeni was a product of Pirates development head Augusto Palacios’s personal academy – the Augusto Palacios Apprentice Academy – from 14‚ and joined Bucs’ youth structures at 16.

He was promoted to the Buccaneers’ senior team from their DStv Diski Challenge reserve side in the 2020-21 preseason along with 20-year-old midfielder Thabiso Sesane.

Wednesday:

• Bloemfontein Celtic v Chippa United (Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium‚ 5pm)
• Black Leopards v Mamelodi Sundowns (Thohoyandou Stadium‚ 5pm)