SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt says he will blood a few budding youngsters when they host their Lesotho counterparts, Matlama, in an African Champions League, first round, first leg tie in Polokwane on Sunday.
Hunt said he would give each of his young goalkeepers, Sherwyn Naicker and Ronwyn Williams, a half against Matlama.
Teenage defender Grant Kekana, only 18, also gets his chance, along with South African Under-23 striker Thulani Ngcepe.
The promising Ngcepe, 20, will get a run alongside Kermit Erasmus who scored the only goal in SuperSport's 1-0 PSL win over title chasing Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.
Erasmus, also 20, has been earmarked as a future Bafana star and is in national coach Pitso Mosimane's plans. However, he needs to score more goals at club level before he can hold down a regular place in the Bafana team.
Hunt was not underestimating the Lesotho champions.
"That would be the last thing I would do. I have learnt that no team can be taken for granted in the Champions League," he said.
"But I believe this is an opportunity to try out some younger players as I am rebuilding the side.
"This gives me the chance to see what depth we have."
United are starting to pick up the pieces in their domestic league campaign, winning their last two games after a bad slump due to injuries and transfers of key players.
Their slump has seen them concede the title, which they have won the last three years running, by the halfway mark of the season.
United's last two Champions League campaigns ended before the quarterfinal stage, and while he acknowledged their was a long road ahead, Hunt said the win over Pretoria neighbours Sundowns had boosted the players' confidence.
"Beating Sundowns was brilliant for our morale going into the game against Matlama," said Hunt.
"We still have a long road ahead and there is a lot of rebuilding to do but now the signs are a lot more positive."
Hunt said it was vital for his side to defeat Matlama at home this weekend.
"I do not want to have to do all the work away from home when we travel to Lesotho for the second leg (two weeks later)," he said.
A daunting and exciting second round tie awaits the SA champions if they get past the unknown Lesotho side.
United would face the African Club of the Century in the form of Egyptian giants Al Ahly who have won the Champions League more times than any other side.
"It would be a brilliant experience for my players and the club to play in a packed stadium in Cairo against a side rated as the best ever in Africa," said Hunt.
"I would relish that challenge even with a depleted side. I believe the experience would be invaluable for the players.
"A tie against Al Ahly is a huge incentive to beat Matlama."
BidVest Wits are en route to the island of Reunion where they meet US St Marienne in their African Confederations Cup first round, first leg clash on Sunday.
Hunt said he would give each of his young goalkeepers, Sherwyn Naicker and Ronwyn Williams, a half against Matlama.
Teenage defender Grant Kekana, only 18, also gets his chance, along with South African Under-23 striker Thulani Ngcepe.
The promising Ngcepe, 20, will get a run alongside Kermit Erasmus who scored the only goal in SuperSport's 1-0 PSL win over title chasing Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.
Erasmus, also 20, has been earmarked as a future Bafana star and is in national coach Pitso Mosimane's plans. However, he needs to score more goals at club level before he can hold down a regular place in the Bafana team.
Hunt was not underestimating the Lesotho champions.
"That would be the last thing I would do. I have learnt that no team can be taken for granted in the Champions League," he said.
"But I believe this is an opportunity to try out some younger players as I am rebuilding the side.
"This gives me the chance to see what depth we have."
United are starting to pick up the pieces in their domestic league campaign, winning their last two games after a bad slump due to injuries and transfers of key players.
Their slump has seen them concede the title, which they have won the last three years running, by the halfway mark of the season.
United's last two Champions League campaigns ended before the quarterfinal stage, and while he acknowledged their was a long road ahead, Hunt said the win over Pretoria neighbours Sundowns had boosted the players' confidence.
"Beating Sundowns was brilliant for our morale going into the game against Matlama," said Hunt.
"We still have a long road ahead and there is a lot of rebuilding to do but now the signs are a lot more positive."
Hunt said it was vital for his side to defeat Matlama at home this weekend.
"I do not want to have to do all the work away from home when we travel to Lesotho for the second leg (two weeks later)," he said.
A daunting and exciting second round tie awaits the SA champions if they get past the unknown Lesotho side.
United would face the African Club of the Century in the form of Egyptian giants Al Ahly who have won the Champions League more times than any other side.
"It would be a brilliant experience for my players and the club to play in a packed stadium in Cairo against a side rated as the best ever in Africa," said Hunt.
"I would relish that challenge even with a depleted side. I believe the experience would be invaluable for the players.
"A tie against Al Ahly is a huge incentive to beat Matlama."
BidVest Wits are en route to the island of Reunion where they meet US St Marienne in their African Confederations Cup first round, first leg clash on Sunday.
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