Talent Doesn't Discriminate So Why Should We?

We have a great democratic country, and that makes our nation a true and diverse country. But lets really be honest, on the soccer field, have we really been diverse or are we just making soccer a black sport.

Now I am a soccer player myself, and I know when I see a good soccer player, regardless of the colour, it doesn’t matter. If you have the skill then you are good enough to play. But because of our unfortunate past should we keep on punishing the white or colored soccer players who are doing well.

We’ve come a long way with our soccer and to keep it growing and maintaining the standard. My concern is that there are too many white players that are being side lined probably because of their color for guys who are constantly on the pitch with minimum work rate and less discipline.

Bradley Grobler, a young and well working striker who just needs to be given a chance whether nationally or in the premier league, he is good enough to play but his sitting on the bench won’t do anyone justice. So he has just scored two goals in last weeks game, so what are we going to now put him on the bench and give an underprivileged black striker a chance to do the same thing.

Davide Somma, was noticed two weeks ago by South Africans, and by SAFA. Only when he scores 6 goals in 7 matches he is a South African soccer player. Maybe if he was black people would have spotted him along time ago. But he has played in Italy, USA and his playing in England for while now. Regardless of the league, being in the Football League Championship (First division) I think he would have made a difference in our squad a couple of months ago during the World Cup.

When I talk about Dillon Sheppard, I really feel like crying. This was one of South Africa’s most accurate and consistent left wingers, before the Daine Klates, Lerato Chabangus and the Siphiwe Tshabalalas. He had everything he needed to be on the South Africa’s starting line up in the CAF Nations Cup and World Cup, but I really fear that if he was sidelined because of color, then how do we really spot talent.

I know he had a bad injury that hampered his career but the fact is he is that good enough of a player.

Matthew Pattison. First of all his work rate on the football pitch is unbelievable, he does very well to retrieve the ball and does well to create goal scoring chances on the pitch.

Many of you probably thought he is a Sundown’s development player, but do you know him From Newcastle FC, or even Norwich where he reined as a player. For the World Cup preparation he was given 15 minutes on the pitch, only 15 minutes, how are you going judge a player for in minutes. I think he should have been in the National Team a long time ago and he is an extraordinary player and I trust that he will be a favorite in eyes the South African fans.

There are a lot of players I can mention, Matthew Booth who just showed his face during the World Cup (A player who received player of the year awards in Russia as a defender). Mark Van Heerden, Darren Keet, Mark Arber, Stephan Armstrong, Cheyne Fowler, Jonathan Greenfield. Who are really doing well for their teams? I just hope we are not waiting for another white talented soccer player to score 6 goals in 7 matches then we say he is South African and we should put him in the national team.

And don’t forget, we won the African Nations Cup with Neil Tovey, Eric Tinkler, Rodger De Sa and Mark Fish. Guys who where white and doing well for our nation. And regarding what race you are, when you are playing for South Africa you really don’t want to be put in the squad because of a the color of you skin, but the maturity of your skill.

I just hope we are not waiting for another white talented soccer player to score 6 goals in 7 matches then we say he is South African and we should put him in the national team.

This is my opinion; please feel free to comment….

By Oratile Matlapeng