Tower
is a complete defender with the combination of size, muscular flexibility,
defensive timing, defensive prowess, intensity, passing ability, control
skills, heading ability, big game performances, mental strength, and high technical
skill with both feet. These techniques combined with his athleticism and defensive
abilities make him one of the best central defender in the country. The boy has enough speed to outpace or match
the pace of the some of the PSL fast strikers and attackers, and this final
element to his game makes him the PSL best center back.
Despite
all the best defensive techniques, Tower is not yet a regular defender in the
Bafana team. He was dropped for Zambia game and now he is not in the team
facing Malawi at Moses Mabhida Stadium on December 22. However, he is part of
additional 12 players for the mini-camp who are under consideration for the
final 23-man AFCON team to be announced on Sunday, December 30.
In
the recent poll of Bafana possible line up for AFCON 2013, Tower was the fans
choice as a central defender alongside evergreen Sangweni. The fans strongly
believe that the combo of Mathoho and Sangweni will bring stability at the back
but am not certain if the coach Gordon Igesund will sacrificed his team captain
Bongani Khumalo for Tower Mathoho. Bongani already displayed some erratic performance
in the Bafana team but his international experience makes him first preference
ahead of Tower but in terms of defensive techniques, Tower is a step ahead of Khumalo.
I
strongly believe that Mathoho is at the same level with Zambian international
defender Stophira Sunzu of TP Mazembe but the difference is that Stopila Sunzu
is a regular player in the national team with 32 caps despite a 1 year age
senior gap to Mathoho. The problem I have with the South African football is
that a player at the age of 22 is still considered as youngster and not ready to
don the Bafana jersey whilst other African players are starting to play regular
at the age of 17 in the respectively
national teams.
South
Africa should learn from Zambian National team who always introduced
youngster’s gradual into the national team. For example Zambian finest defender
Emanuel Mbola who is currently playing for FC Porto in Portugal started his
international journey at the age of 16. Today, Zambia is an African finest team
with multiple youngsters with greater future. The Zambians came up with long
term plan for the future long and the part of the plan yield 2012 AFCON Cup
accolade.
My
concern is that, Tower Mathoho is playing regular in the biggest team Kaizer
Chiefs with Man of the match accolades in many games. His confidence has
skyrocket to be Bafana regular. The coach should protect this growing talent by
giving him a fair chance to showcase his talent. Tower is ready to marshal the
Bafana defense with distinction - is not Mathoho alone but with many other
youngsters who are not getting a necessary attention from the national team
coach.
If
indeed South Africa is ready to challenge for some silverware in future, we
must start introducing youngsters gradual to understand the Bafana playing
culture. Lack of many youngsters in the team is point of concern whilst lack of
proper youth development structure in the country is a national crisis. With
well-developed youngsters in the team, Bafana future will look bright.
By Owen Mundalamo
