Today's piece comes from a lover of the local game. He's a player himself, a coach & has SAFA badges to prove it! He's one of the few Cape Town residents who actually take the time to pay & watch the PSL. He's got a much more positive view on the local talent. Read below to see why -
While we start
drooling over yet another Brazilian generation and what looks like it could be
one of their best if not there best ever. Many of us south Africans are
thinking when is our golden generation coming to save this country’s football
from albatross? Do we even have the infrastructure and development plans in
place to produce a golden generation? What if I told you South Africa had a
serious chance at a medal in this football Olympics!! “Not possible” “we didn’t
even qualify” that we didn’t qualify is not the lack of talent or the
development excuse that every junior national team coach throws in the media’s
face after yet another failed qualifying campaign neither is it the coach. The sole blame lies with SAFA and their lack
of vision in identifying a talented group of players. To give everyone an
indication, South Africa have only qualified twice for the Fifa U-20 world cup,
the first time was in 1997(a team containing McCarthy,fortune,etc) that team
made up the core of the Olympic team in Sydney that shook the footballing world
by beating a Brazilian team containing Ronaldinho,Adriano and Alex. This team
of amaglug should have gone on to dominate the national team for years to come
and bring us glory. That sadly was not the case due to reasons we all
know(coaching changes no 1) the 2nd time we qualified for the Fifa u
20 world cup was in 2009 where we lost out on progression from the group stages
on goal difference. Now if you were in Safa`s shoes alarm bells should have
been ringing. This team should have been earmarked for the Olympic qualifying
campaign to lead us to only our 2nd Olympics. How wrong we were,
shakes Mashaba could not choose he’s best team for the last qualifying
tournament where SAFA and the PSl were at each others throats over the release
of certain players. Sanity eventually prevailed if you can call it that with
Shakes Mashaba taking a 2nd string team consisting of bench warmers
and NFD players with just a few days preparation but how different could it have been? Let me
break this team down department by department to give everyone an indication of
the wealth of talent that Shakes had at he’s disposal if SAFA had any vision at
all.
Goalkeepers
This would be 1 of our
strongest departments. We have Darren
Keet who made his psl debut at 19 for Wits University and went on to cement
his place as the number 1, resulting in a move overseas. He is currently plying
his trade in Belgium’s top league for Kv Kortrik and is the clubs number 1,
should be battling Khune for number 1 but a case of out of sight out of mind
for SAFA! As backup there is Superports Ronwen Williams who just won the absa
young player of the year and forced former Bafana keeper Rowen Fernandez to
play 2nd fiddle to him. Showed tremendous maturity and has
exponential potential testament to that is that he is the number 1 keeper at a
big club at 20.(baby years in keeper terms) Brilliant Khuzwayho any keeper who the coach nicknames Cassilas
must be worth having a look. Khuzwahyo was on loan at Thanda Royal Zulu where
he skippered them to the brink of promotion where they narrowly lost out in the
playoffs has recently been signed by Kaiser Chiefs where he will push Khune for
the number 1 spot.
Right backs
Doctor Mampura skippered the u-23 team and is one of the best
crosses in the psl. Mampura talents became noticed in Puk twana (Sundowns
development team) run in the nedbank cup a few seasons back. Game time has been
hard to come by at Sundowns as he is competing with u-23 teamate Ramahlwe Mphahlele who was the previous skipper
of the u-23. Mphahlele debuted in the psl at 18 for Moroka Swallows and
established himself as one of the best right backs in the psl. A very versatile
player who can cover centre back and midfield. A big money offer was accepted
by swallows and he is currently battling for game time resulting in a loan move
to newly promoted Tuks. Thulani
Hlatswayo nicknamed Tyson for he’s hard tackling and strength is a regular
in Ajax ct back four played an influential role in Ajax 2nd placed
finish 2 seasons back and is one of few positives of Ajax ill-fated last
campaign. Has been earmarked for a European move.
Left backs
Sundown’s Subusiso Khumalo a player blessed with
incredible pace and extremely skilful concerns over he’s defensive capabilities
have resulted in him struggling to get game time also having to compete with
Bafana international Punch Masenamela for a starting place has limited he’s
opportunities has been compared to brazils Marcelo. Bafana international Keegan Ritchie is eligible for
selection too. The Kaiser Chiefs man is one of the best crosses and is a set
piece specialist. Concerns has been raised over he’s pace but makes up with
he’s reading and tough tackling and is extremely hard to beat one v one. There
is backup in Ajax ct Aiden Jenniker and the versatile Thato Mokeke who’s best position is
centre back but can fill the roles of dm and left back as well. The former
Supersport man has played an integral part of Ajax ct last season and is a
fantastic passer of the ball
Centre backs
The recent bidding war
that erupted between Sundowns and Kaiser Chiefs over the services of Eric
Mathoho. The much sought after centre back was in the psl team of the season
plying he’s trade at Bloem Celtic. Tower as Mathoho is known combines physical
presence with composure on the ball and fantastic aerial prowess. Was linked
with numerous clubs in Europe before he decided to join Kaiser Chiefs in a big
money deal. Tower is also a big threat from set pieces and has chipped him with
he’s fair share of goals will be in the Bafana team for many years to come.
Siyanda Xulu a player
who was a regular at Mamelodi Sundowns at 18 was on trail at Barcelona, Arsenal
and Athletico Madrid. The latter having a bid rejected as it was deemed insufficient.
Is now the mainstay of the Mamelodi backline and a European move is not too far
off.
David Boysen has been
a regular for Maritzburg united producing some sterling performances. The lanky
defender has put in some sterling performances and he’s composure, ability to
read the game and command in the air has him touted as a Bafana international
Thamsanqa Sangweni
brother of Bafana and Orlando Pirates centre back Siyabonga is arguably the
more talented brother played a sterling role in Amazulus success last season
which resulted in a big money move to Sundowns. Is a generally a holding
midfielder but has produced some brilliant performances at centre back blessed
with the same composure as he’s older brother but looks to have the edge in
passing ability. Packs a rocket of a shot. Has been placed in defence due to
the quality possessed in midfield by this team
Central midfield
This is the department
where we are spoilt for choice. This midfield could rival any in world football
at the Olympics. Picking a starting 3 from these midfielders would have been
tough for Mashaba if he had all of them available. These are our central
midfielders.
Andile Jail a stalwart
in Orlando Pirates midfield resulting in 2 treble winning seasons(enough said)
not many a midfielder has won the battle over Gattuso as jail is known.
Freakish energy, excellent in the tackle and a decent distributor. Has outgrown
the psl and should be playing in Europe. A man to take with you to war!
George maluleke was
the spine of Ajax ct for 2 seasons. Blessed with all the qualities of a box to
box midfielder. Maluleke has recently been signed by Superport United after 2
fantastic seasons at Ajax ct where he was the team’s most consistent player.
Daylon Classens Has been touted for great things ever since he
had a trial with real Madrid at 15. the former Ajax cape town player has been
plying he’s trade in the Belgium league for SK Lierse and was voted club player
of the year which has alerted QPR who are interested in signing the silky
playmaker. How he is not a Bafana regular is the question everyone in Belgium
has been asking!
Thulani Serrero the
jewel in South Africa’s crown. The most talented player to come out of mzansi
in many a year. The Ajax Amsterdam player left these shores in a big money move
from Ajax Cape Town to mother club Ajax Amsterdam after a clean sweep in the
individual player awards at the back end of the 2010/2011 season almost single
handedly winning the psl title. Has found game time a bit difficult but this is
due to the sensational form of Christian Ericksen who has been on the wanted
list of almost every top club in Europe.
If a midfield 3 of jail, Classens and Serrero
has you salivating. There is still a few more gems left none so than May Mahlangu. Displays in Sweden for
Helsingborg sent shockwaves throughout South Africa. Here was an unknown South
African player getting rave reviews in Sweden this resulted in him becoming the
Swedish player of the year talks of Swedish citizenship being offered to
Mahlangu to play for the Swedish national team were rumoured. Still no Bafana
call up! Eventually Pitso yielded to the media and public and called him up to
the Bafana national team. How the playmaker was not capped at junior level is a
mystery to all and sundry! Kamohelo
Mokotjo is a currently plying he’s trade for Dutch super powers Feynoord played
22 games last season for feynoord can play in midfield or defence. Moktjie
displays in midfield has led him to signing an extended contract (foreign
players in Holland can not sign a contract for less than 550 000 euros per
anum) this shows how highly rated mokotjo is. Yet another European player who
fails to grab the attention to the bafflement of the feynoord technical
team. Thandani Nhshumayelo burst onto the scene in the 2008/2009 season
winning the absa young player of the year. A starring role for Superport united
for numerous seasons resulted in a big money move to Orlando Pirates. Low centre of gravity results in him
possessing incredible strength for he’s small statue, energy in abundance and
fantastic passer of the ball are just some of the qualities possessed. For
depth we have Jabulani Shongwe who
is one of the most creative players in the psl and the versatile Michael Morton who has been a regular
for wits and Maritzburg united for numerous seasons.
On the wings we are blessed with numerous game
breakers and potential superstars none other than Masibusuane Zongo the most talented left footer this country has
seen. Discipline problems has led to stagnation in he’s career after
scintillating displays in he’s debut season resulted in a bid from none other
than Tottenham Hotspurs. Rumours of he’s ill discipline led Tottenham to
abandon the deal. Mind boggling balls skills along with an excellent end
product was recently taken under the wing of Roger De Sa where he flourished
for wits on loan towards the end of last season currently on the books of
supersport where he has fallen out of favour with Gavin Hunt’s rigid style of
coaching. Shameeg Doutie is a player
who in the qualifying tournament was selected for the team of the tournament
even tho amaglug performed dismally. One of the best crosses in South Africa.
Doutie is your archetypal winger with pace to burn. After a big money move to
pirates did not work out. A move to supersport worked out perfectly for the
fleet footed winger who thrives under a more direct style. George Lebese has shown when given a chance for Kaiser Chiefs he is
a very talented player has found opportunities limited due to him having to
compete directly with Bafana incumbent Simphiwe Tshabalala. Lebese has shown
over the past season he is more than capable and is one for the future. Mandla Masango is the former captain of
the u-23 is a player that has all the attributes to become a star. Was just 19
when chiefs gave him he’s debut and big things were expected even given the
nickname as the next Jabu Pule
Strikers
Upfront we have Kermit Erasmus one of the top goal scorers in the Fifa u 20
tournament in 2009 Erasmus was on the books of feynoord even before he played
in the psl where he found opportunities limited. A loan deal to Sbv Excelsior
yielded some success but the call of the Bafana selection resulted in a
transfer back to supersport did not quite live up to expectations due to Gavin
hunts direct style of football. The diminutive forward struggled as he was
often played on the left of a midfield but showed glimpses of why he is so
highly rated. Is still being rumoured for a European move.
Bogani
Nduluda was the top
goalscorerer in the Olympic qualifying campaign. Is seen as the future target
man for Bafana Bafana. Ndudlula is on the books of Orlando pirates where he
chipped in with a number of crucial goals. Ndudlula has a good first touch for
a big boy and has shown composure in the box having to compete directly with
mzansi finest striker McCarthy did not aid he’s development as he found
opportunities limited.
Tokelo
Rantjie scored he’s first
Bafana goal in Bafana last game. Explosive pace and good finishing has led him
to being an integral part of Orlando Pirates treble winning team. Rantjie was
on loan from Hasslehom(Swedish league) but has a number of suitors after he’s
services. A failed bid from pirates to buy him outright failed as was deemed
insufficient. Has just recently been signed by Helsingborg.
Starting
11?
How they will line up in the starting 11? A 4 3
3! With the abundance of central midfield talent available. Keet would be in
goal. Right back will be a tough call but would have to go with Hlasthwayo.
Xulu and Mathoto would be the centre backs with Khumalo on the left. The
midfield would be jail as defensive along with Classens as the box to box and
Serrero in the hole behind a fluid front 3 of Rantjie Zongo and Erasmus who all
have the ability to interchange. This team has everything pace and creativity
lacks height in midfield and the wingbacks would have been a small problem
defensively but that never stopped an all conquering team before forget tika
taka! This would have been superdiski with all the flicks, tricks and shibobos that
come along with it. 2014 Brazil SAFA?????
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Thanks Paul. Loving it! Wanna hear some more from Paul, follow him on twitter. He has no girlfriend
so it's strictly sport tweets - @superlamb1987
