Dakarai Mafico spoke to Cardiff City TV ahead of the Bluebirds’ Round of 32 Vertu Trophy tie against AFC Wimbledon.
“We’re really looking forward to it.” Dakarai began. “On a personal note, I haven’t played many games, so for me it’s a really good opportunity to show more of what I can do.
“I think all the boys, especially the younger boys, are looking forward to the challenge. We know it’ll be a difficult game, but we believe we can get a result.”
Having made the step up to the First Team fold this summer, Dak spoke of how proud he was to see City's Academy lads face Newport County and Arsenal’s U21s in the Group Stage of the competition.
“It was great to see so many young players get the opportunity, and the trust from the manager to put those boys on, so they could show the fans what they could do. Even though they lost to Newport, the result against Arsenal showed the brightness in the Academy and the future that we have here.
“When you see the likes of Dylan Lawlor and Ronan [Kpakio], who are playing week in week out, it gives us younger boys, who are a year younger or even the same year group as them, belief that in two years’ time, we could be in the same positions as them.”
Brian Barry-Murphy has turned to youth in the Vertu Trophy this term, giving Academy players valuable experience, and Tuesday night will be no different.
Dak said: “It has been a really valuable experience. For the young players it gives a taste of what First Team football looks like on a week-to-week basis.
“We want to go as far into the competition as possible. If we can get a good result against Wimbledon, it will give us lots of confidence going back into the league and give the manager problems deciding who he wants in the team.
“Now that we’re past the group stage and that it’s a must win game, it adds an extra competitive edge. So, on Tuesday night, we’ve got to make sure that we bring our best game.”