Golden Arrows assistant coach Musa Bilankulu has explained the bizarre absence of rising star Samukele Mlaba from the senior team, having been the club's leading goal scorer in the DStv Diski Challenge side.
Abafana Bes'thende are set to kick off their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign with a tricky encounter away to Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday evening.
READ | 'He will be ready for Pirates'
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit will be aiming to find just the right balance of maintaining an experienced, competitive outfit and continuing a proud club tradition of promoting young talent.
One of those hopefuls will be Mlaba, who was part of the team's pre-season and has been training with the team, although yet to get a chance in a competitive fixture.
The 21-year-old last appeared in Arrows' first-team colours towards the end of 2022/23 in a match against Chippa United.
Mlaba contributed 10 goals and 7 assists in 30 appearances for the Reserves last season to scoop the club's DDC Player of the Season award as well as Top Goalscorer.
That return was slightly lower than his previous contribution of 15 goals, but his absence from the first team remains a mystery and has further prompted several PSL clubs to consider pouncing on the young striker, KickOff understands.
ALSO READ | RISING STARS: Pirates sign highly-rated La Masia star
Bilankulu, though, has revealed that this season could well be one where Arrows supporters see more of Mlaba in the first team.
"He is promoted to the first team," responded the former defender-cum-midfielder when asked about the player's lack of first-team minutes.
"Since last season, he has been promoted, it's just that we couldn't find a balance of playing him. If you remember, we played against Chippa United last game of the season (May 2023)
"But this season, I believe he is training well [with the first team] from the pre-season and he is going to be part of the first team fully.
"So, the supporters can wait a bit and they will see the best of him."