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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Masandawana have been introducing wonderkids to their first team</li><li>The latest is 17-year-old Kutlwano Letlhaku</li><li>Mokwena comments on his trust in the teenager</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mokwena defends throwing teenage midfielder Kutlwano Letlhaku into the deep end

Premier Soccer League

Richards Bay

Stellenbosch FC

Teenage midfielder Kutlwano Letlhaku made his first-team debut against Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 last Sunday.The 17-year-old was introduced as a substitute with 19 minutes remaining when Mamelodi Sundowns were being frustrated by their National First Division visitors with the scoreline at 0-0Mokwena says introducing Letlhaku and handing him responsibilities at a key phase of the game showed his trust in the teenager and that he was not "doing it for a show."

WHAT HAPPENED?

''It is different case studies and different environments. If I was doing it for a show, imagine it was 0-0 and we lost the game 1-0 no one would care?'' said Mokwena as per <a href="https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/playing-youngsters-not-just-for-optics-rulani-mokwena" target="_blank">SABC Sport.</a>''It's not about that, it's about me watching their games and getting feedback from the DDC coaches, and also hearing from the Sporting Director and coach David.''I've had them at training, and you guys only see the match and the opportunity on match day.""I had them since the Afcon break, we took them to Polokwane, and they played a couple of friendlies with us. When they are ready for our environment, we will play them," he added."We then say the same about Cassius, I played him last season and some said it's for show.''

WHAT MOKWENA SAID

There has been some notable trust in young players by big <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/premier-soccer-league/yv73ms6v1995b5wny16jcfi3" target="_blank">Premier Soccer League</a> clubs.After Masandawana introduced Cassius Mailula, they went on to hand opportunities to Siyabonga Mabens who made his debut at 16 last season as well as Siyanda Nyanga.At Kaizer Chiefs, Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi have shown immense promise while Relebohile Mofokleng has been one of Orlando Pirates' best performers this season.Shandre Campbell and Ime Okon have established themselves as regulars at SuperSport United.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Brazilians are currently on the Fifa break without competitive action as they continue to prepare their youngsters.It is to be seen if Letlhaku will feature in their next match against Young Africans in the Caf Champions League.

WHAT NEXT FOR SUNDOWNS?

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mokwena defends throwing teenage midfielder Kutlwano Letlhaku into the deep end | Goal.com South Africa

The Brazilians trainer has decision his decision to thrown in the 17-year-old at a critical stage of last weekend&apos;s match