We failing cos we implementing European culture

The problem in this country facing the national team is not actually as it looks. "Bafana Bafana failing to compete" it is actually a problem for the entire South African soccer.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams uses different method of training, they use different systems of play; e.g. Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter tells players to kick the ball forward and run on defense and SuperSport United Cavin Johnson says play football enjoy yourselves.

If you look at 1996 AFCON champs it was the squad from three big teams that had coaches who believed in allowing players to excel at their best and the national coach (Clive Barker) who used players to their true potential. Zane Moosa and Doc Khumalo are perfect examples.

Since then our football collapsed because we lacked vision and ignored development of players at an early age. Our players could not combine three passes against Mali and Nigeria; they fail to make decision in a short space of time. When tightly marked our players are not comfortable and lose the ball due to frustration. These are signs of wrong approach.

We fail because we implement Europe culture that doesn't suite our natural born South African tiny, short and skillful players. Why can't we have own our way of play based on qualities we have?

We can talk the whole day but ignoring proper youth development will continue to hunt us. It’s up to the South African Football Association (SAFA) and PSL to put their differences aside focus on what’s best for our country.

By Teko Mokaiwa