We do not have to discuss this further, but I needed to put my perspective regarding our players showboating.
Showboating is fine, but at the end of the day, does it win you a contract overseas? Yes the Orlando Pirates / Tottenham Hotspur game was just a friendly and I am also of the opinion that Pirates were just giving the supporters something to cheer about as the game was stagnant.
Do we really expect thee Spurs team that played so competively against Inter Milan and Real Madrid to play that way against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates? Of course not. So basically, the European teams are just here for a holiday, financial reward and yes to scout for possible players. But this is where our players are shooting themselves in the leg.
I don’t think Harry Redknapp is going to recommend to his board to take a player who dancers on the ball with no purpose of scoring. How is that going to benefit Spurs? Do you think any of the Spurs contingent, players will recommend these players to any team in Europe. Our players should take the Vodacom serious, although Spurs might not, to win them that lucrative contract.
Now look at Lehlohonolo Majoro, he played straight forward football, and Spurs were impressed. It could be that Spurs will recommend scouts to come and look at him, and word might get to other clubs in England. And who knows – Majoro will be gone from KC. But who is going to recommend a person who showboats without any purpose to anyone in Europe? So although, it could be fine to showboat because of the nature of the games, it does not do any good to our players.
Why do you think only Benni, Pienaar, Bartlett, Radebe, Fish, Morris made their mark in the top leagues? These players are capable of showboating, but in Europe that type of football will bring you nowhere. History shows that the shibobo, tsamaya stars who we so adore, Jabu Pule, Steve Lekoelea, Junaid Hartley, Zongo’s, were never invited to Europe. Can’t make it in the NFD or Swaziland mind you. So will our current ‘show me your number’ stars, Mayambela, Yende and etc.
It is a sad indictment of our soccer if Tshepo Masilela, Morgan Gould, our top Bafana players cannot make in the Championship league of England. And please do not compare the “showboating” of our teams to Barcelona. I would advise Shameeg Doutie not to emulate the Pirates players and try too hard to impress the crowd, by unnecessary showboating. He nearly tripped himself when he tried some stupid thing. At Ajax he never did that.
Lastly, I know some of you think that European teams are full of big headed egoist individuals, but for our players to succeed in their turf, they have to play like them. Most of our African brothers are playing all over Europe and are successful, and name me one player who is a supposedly “shibobo” player among them. This type of football just does not work over there.
By Adwin Marsh
