Mphela and Musona: Is Europe really worth it?

With the Carling Black Label Cup just around the corner, it might be easy to forget that Katlego Mphela turned out for Glasgow Celtic against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly match last night.

As his team-to-be slipped to a 2-0 defeat, Mphela was substituted at half time, a move that probably does not bode well for his ambitions to play overseas.

If he does manage to win a contract, what next for him? I’m stating the obvious here but Scotland is not South Africa. He might be fooled into thinking that it’s actually a warm place, having travelled from a Mzansi winter to a Scottish summer (it does exist!) but what will he be feeling in the depths of the Scottish winter? It’ll be freezing.

If it’s not raining, it’ll be snowing or gale-force winds. It’s little surprise that the English language has many words to describe rain. Daylight hours quickly disappear in the winter. I’ve been there when it never truly got light. He might start to forget what the sun looks like.

And let’s not forget the cultural differences. Yes, they speak English but the accent is so different from SA English that Mphela might need a translator. What about food? There’s no pap. NO PAP!! No Black Label. Life is generally more expensive. I struggled to adjust to life in the UK after living in SA and I’m English!

Congratulations to Knowledge Musona on his move to Hoffenheim, but is he aware of the culture shock ahead of him? Are any of Mzansi’s players conscious what a move to Europe will actually mean for them personally. Some, like Steven Pienaar, can adapt but many can be left isolated and self-destruct (Jabu Pule/Mahlangu). Further afield, there are many talented players who sacrifice their personal lives in pursuit of football glory and struggle.

Tevez, Adriano and Robinho have all suffered from severe homesickness during their overseas stints. European clubs are signing South American players who are little more than children. How can they cope with the pressures of moving country?

Is it really worth all this anguish and trouble to play in Europe? I’m not so sure. The pursuit of money often appears to override the wellbeing of players. Football players are human, just like you and I. Don’t let their high-profiles and large pay cheques fool you otherwise.

By Marc Fletcher