SuperSport United first team coach Gavin Hunt has warned football spectators not to judge promising youngster Shandre Campbell over one match.
Campbell, who was playing his trade in the DStv Diski Challenge last season, was the start of the show on Saturday when SuperSport United brushed aside Richards Bay FC in their opening league match at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The youngster showed prowess and a glimpse that he might be counted among one of the best young players in the league this season.
The 18-year-old played a sterling role providing two assists to win the man-of-the-match accolade.
He also missed a couple of chances which could have seen him putting his name on the scoresheet on debut.
The teenager set up Terrence Dzvukamanja for the opening goal and assisted Etiosa Ighodaro to score the second goal, which saw SuperSport United record a comfortable 2-0 victory.
"I watched him the whole of last year [In the DStv Diski Challenge],' said Hunt.
"He still has a lot to do, but he definitely has the ability. But let's judge people over a period of time, not over one game or two games.
Added Hunt: "In South Africa, you have one good game and then [Judge the player]. Let's Judge him over a season, two or three but a good start for the kid."
The promising youngster finished the 2022-23 DStv Diski Challenge campaign among the top goalscorers. He scored 16 goals in 28 matches to finish second in the charts, two goals behind Golden Boot winner Mervin Boji of Stellenbosch FC in his first Diski season.
Campbell was not the only Diski Challenge player who made his DStv Premiership debut this weekend. In another league game played on Saturday, Siyanda Mthanti of Golden Arrows also had a dream debut. Mthanti came from the bench to put Arrows in the lead against Moroka Swallows in a match that ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
The enterprising midfielder was one of Arrows' key players in the reserve league last season. Mthanti, Samkelo Mzolo, alongside Mthokozisi Duma, were menacing defenders. Their promotion to the first team also came as no surprise as they proved that they were capable.