Diski graduates continue to climb the ladder at Chiefs
The duo made their senior debuts during Chiefs' Shell Helix Ultra Cup clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Sifama and Twala took the field of play in the later stages of the second half, replacing Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro, whose combination ensured that Chiefs were 4-2 victors on the day.
Sifama, 16, came close to adding his name on the scoresheet; inside the box skinning his marker before sending his efforts inches wide of Kennedy Mweene goals.
Before Saturday, Sifama has been in red-hot form for coach Arthur Zwane's troops in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge structures. His knack for scoring goals have inspired the team to an eighth spot with 14 points, 10 behind log leaders Bidvest Wits before Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United.
Twala, on the other hand, has been training with the seniors since the commencement of the term, thanks to his Diski Challenge Golden Boot-winning 12-goal tally last season.
Chiefs' coach, Ernst Middendorp, was left an impressed man with the duo's outings in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup, citing that the resurgence of young players in the senior structures is the fuel that has seen them stand head and shoulders above their counterparts.
"I personally enjoy if I have a number of players with certain qualities, not the so called first Xl or 13. I think we've developed it so far," Midddendorp said during the post-match press conference at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
"In addition, Teko Sifama, who came in, is 16. He’s the one that nearly scored his first goal in the PSL. I think he should be playing in the U17s but we took him in."
He continued: "Sizwe Twala is a player, that I believe if he gets a learning process from the side of Leonardo (Castro), Samir (Nurkovic), Khama (Billiat) and Lazarous Kambole, he'll develop and during the season he'll be valuable for us."
On Sunday, Twala was handed a starting berth when Chiefs' second-string team locked horns with Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2019 Itau Macufe Cup, while Sifama started from the bench.
The duo, again, huffed and puffed in front of goal, but the well-rested Celtic side ensured the trophy remained in Mangaung with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Throwing youngsters in the deep end is starting to become customary at Chiefs, especially with Middendorp having shown ample faith in Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Bruce Bvuma and Siyabonga Ngezana, while Twala, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane and goalkeeper Bontle Molefe continue to wait in the wings.
Meanwhile, Middendorp's counterpart on Saturday, Pitso Mosimane, was also impressed by debutants and Diski Challenge graduates Harold Majadibodu and Nicholus Lukhubeni.
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