Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic believes 19-year-old Thabiso Monyane’s debut over the weekend ‘sends a strong message that our youth system is doing a good job’.

The Sea Robbers opened their 2019-20 Absa Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday night at the Orlando Stadium.

Sredojevic decided to hand U20 international Monyane, who normally plays right wing‚ a starting berth at right back.

Despite playing out of position Monyane produced an energy-filled performance, and Sredojevic praised his debut.

‘It was an historical day for Orlando Pirates‚ where a young boy of 20 who played in the U20 World Cup‚ Thabiso Monyane‚ played his first game.

‘We gave him simple instructions: “Son‚ if things are OK‚ take the credit. If things are bad‚ we as coaches will take the blame.” I want to give credit to the senior players who accommodated him. And he has presented himself in the best possible way.

‘Still, he needs to be much better in defending‚ much better in buildup‚ and more effective going forward. But him starting today sends a strong message that our youth system is doing a good job.’

Sredojevic admitted that Monyane’s youthful energy has allowed him to be versatile.

‘You know him as a right winger. We played him in a wing-back situation. The energy and quality that he has gives him that ability to tirelessly perform repetitions on the flank.

‘No matter whether his is a winger‚ wing back or a full back he needs to be a multi-dimensional player‚ ready to defend‚ ready to build up‚ ready to give that advantage in numbers when we are attacking from that flank. A player with energy.

‘He is still very far from where his is supposed to be. But from tonight‚ starting with the first step‚ a journey of a thousand miles has begun. And he did very well.’

Pirates’ goals against Celtic were scored by Augustine Mulenga in the sixth minute‚ Innocent Maela in the 56th and substitute Gabadinho Mhango in the 78th. Mzwandile Mahashe had equalised for Celtic in the 39th minute.