The Chiefs development has in the past produced many players who have struggled to make immediate impact in the Amakhosi first team.

There have been players who have been exceptional like Jabu Mahlangu who made immediate impression following his promotion from the development but players like Sandile Zuke, Sihle Mbambo and many others had to be loaned to other teams to gain more experience.

The Premier Soccer League has discussed the possibility of re-establishing the Reserve League following a pilot project back in 2006.

“A lot of youngsters struggle to immediately bridge the gap between the U-19 and the first team. We need an over-19 league, at present we are trying to solve this problem partially thanks to Safa Soweto, which has accommodated a U-20 league of which the likes Lucky Khune who is registered with the first team are honing their skills.”

Steenbok who was recruited to Kaizer Chiefs back in 2008 believes that Chiefs Youth Development can be among the best in the country.

“We want to make it the elite programme in South Africa - one that will produce every year, two players for the first team. We will have achieved our target if 90% of Kaizer Chiefs first team in 2014 represent players who originated from our development structures,” he said.

To hear more about Steenbok’s views on youth development and football philosophy get a copy of Amakhosi 2009/10 Season Guide currently on sale at various stores countrywide.