Simphiwe Dludlu urges Diski picks to use Carling Cup chance

Following the Carling Knockout, clinched by Magesi FC in a surprise 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns last month, the champions now get to face an All-Star team picked by the fans on 21 December.

Dludlu has advised the five Diski Challenge players selected to be ready to step up against their senior counterparts in the Betway Premiership. 

"It's fair to have a yes and no answer – no because you're only seeing them once off in a cup final, compared to if it was throughout the tournament from the last 16 to see these players compete there, then you'll see them growing and being fast-tracked to that level," said Dludlu.

"The yes is because, for you to know what a cup game looks like at senior level, this is it, and you get to play in a fully packed stadium, where there's so much money in there – R100 000 for a player of the match, which can be voted for by all the fans.

"Normally in a DDC [reserve league] team, you can multiply how much that is for that player, and another big yes is that these players are being exposed to playing in a big crowd, and the whole of South Africa and Africa has an opportunity to watch."

As things stand, Jabulane Mokone, Aden McCarthy, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Vincent Mokoena, Naledi Hlongwane are the reserve league players who made the cut when the latest voting count was revealed on Tuesday. 

"The most important thing is exposing these players to this level, and also getting to be coached by first team coaches, because some of the players have never had that encounter, where they get to be in the change room and hear what the coach says," she added.

"Last season it was Coach Jose [Riveiro] coming in with files, folders, and all of that, and some of the players were shocked to see – imagine Mfundo [Vilakazi] is not signed at PSL level yet and he comes in and gets a file to say this is what you have to look at in regards to Stellenbosch, and all of that.

"This season now, they have to think and talk about a Magesi team, which plays with a long ball, and sometimes they hit you on the counter-attack, and now you are telling young players just used to playing normal football at their level.

"So it's going to be beautiful to see how they adapt, and also to not disappoint the fans because they voted for you."

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