The
standard of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has been assumed to be amongst the
best in the continent which is not true.
We have weak league which resulted in weak Bafana Bafana. Many of our
players lack proper development to compete in the highest level.
It
is disheartening that the PSL leading goalscorer after 22 games has mere 10
goals which justify lack of quality in the league.
PSL
teams and the South African Football Association (SAFA) must conduct in depth
research into youth football to keep up with international standards.
Too
much adoption of foreign methodologies into our football resulting in Mzansi
diski of flair and skills to be termed barbaric and backward.
For
South Africa to be considered the best in Africa, we must rebuild from
scratch. We must invest in youth. Our
league is aging with few teenagers playing coupled with average foreign players
not adding any value to improve the standard of football.
Libya
quietly invested good money in youth development despite civil war and are now reaping
the rewards. They won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and Ahly Benghazi
knocked out defending champions Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League this past
weekend. Money and good stadiums can’t guarantee success but good youth
development structures can guarantee success.
