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There is no 'philosophy' of youth development at Orlando Pirates - Lebohang Mokoena

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Lebohang Mokoena says the club has lost the culture of grooming "quality youth footballers" and it will take time before they return to the development structure they used to boast.

Mokoena came through the Pirates academy, before making his Premier Soccer League (PSL) debut as a 17-year-old in 2003.

During the six seasons he spent at the Soweto giants, he played with the likes of Benedict Vilakazi, the late Gift Leremi and Joseph Makhanya among several others who were products of youth football development at Pirates.

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But the current Pirates squad has few players who grew up at the club including Mthokozisi Dube, Thabiso Monyane and Siphumelele Mbulu and they struggle for game time.