Head coach Cavin Johnson has explained why he was impressed with the debut of starlet Mfundo Vilakazi despite Kaizer Chiefs crashing out of the Nedbank Cup after losing to Milford.
Amakhosi's bid to bring an end to their nine-year trophy drought suffered another setback as the Soweto giants crashed out of yet another cup competition, this time at the hands of Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Milford in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup.
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Chiefs dominated proceedings at FNB Stadium on Sunday but were unable to capitalise on their chances, with Du Preez striking the crossbar and Ranga Chivaviro seeing his spot-kick saved in the first half of extra time.
The match eventually went to extra-time and then penalties where Edson Castillo also skied his effort, while Milford scored all of their penalties to progress to the next round.
The night also saw the senior debut of newly promoted Vilakazi, who was brought on as a second half substitute for Amakhosi.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Johnson provided his assessment of the 18-year-old.
"I thought Mfundo [Vilakazi] came in and did really well," Johnson said.
"For a young player who came on and I put him on a really high-pressure game. I thought he did well. I didn't think he lost the ball. So he's got a bright future with Kaizer Chiefs.
"Unfortunately, today he was not able to show his real qualities, which I thought would have come if we scored the goal. Then you would have really seen how good he is. But he did very well for me.
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Having already been knocked out of the Carling Knockout, MTN8 and now the Nedbank Cup, Chiefs can only turn their attention to the DStv Premiership where they take on Moroka Swallows on Saturday.
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