Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has opened up on his reasons why he has given Kamohelo Mahlatsi the benefit of the doubt in the line-up.
Mahlatsi did not have a seamless transition after he was signed from Swallows in the off-season, as he battled with injuries at the beginning of the season and after his return, he only managed a couple of cameo appearances.
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However, Zwane raised eyebrows in Chiefs' first game from the FIFA World Cup break after including Mahlatsi in the line-up for his first start against Golden Arrows, with Kgaogelo Sekgota starting from the bench.
Mahlatsi got his second successive start in the loss against Sekhukhune United and Zwane says he wants to give players opportunities to prove themselves, so he can know how far is their squad depth.
"When it comes to Mahlatsi, we want to give all the players the opportunity because this is a massive team and we want to see which players can deal with the pressure and which players cannot deal with the pressure," Zwane said in a press conference.
"So that we can know where we're going and so far so good. I think he did well last week, second-half I understand he has not been playing regularly for some time.
"And he was bound to quickly get tired you know, second-half he was a little bit tired but again (against Sekhukhune) for the fact that we created the chance...more or less the goal they scored against us he was in a good position but his first touch let him down."
'Mangethe' went on to say that he was a player himself and understands that a player has to be given a fair chance to prove his worth but it's up to Mahlatsi to grab his opportunity because competition for places will be tough when other players are available.
Amakhosi did not have Khama Billiat and Ashley Du Preez against Arrows due to injuries, although Du Preez featured off the bench against Babina Noko.
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"So the fact that he was in the right position to score, which is good, next time he'll bury those chances. So it's one of those days you keep on encouraging the players until we get it right," Zwane went on.
"And I'm happy with him, I was a player myself, so a player does not need only one chance, second chance to prove himself. Unfortunately at some point the competition is stiff, if other players are available...
"This is a game of opportunities. If you're given the opportunity you have to grab it with both hands," he added.
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