Sheppard backs Chiefs' young guns to shine in Carling All Stars clash

KAIZER Chiefs Reserves assistant coach Dillon Sheppard has thrown his full support behind the Chiefs players selected for the Carling All Stars team to face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

The All Stars will be led by Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who takes over from last year’s winning coach, Orlando Pirates’ Jose Riveiro. Chiefs — along with Mamelodi Sundowns — will be among the most represented clubs in the starting XI, with four players included: young star Mfundo Vilakazi, goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, Naledi Hlongwane and Thulani Mabaso.

With the Chiefs-Pirates rivalry as fierce as ever, Sheppard hopes the youngsters he has helped develop will seize the moment. He stressed that the fixture provides a valuable platform for rising players to showcase the qualities that earned them overwhelming fan votes.

“This is a great opportunity for the boys to showcase themselves," Sheppard said.