Sports
Bell Tolls For S’Africa’s Football
South African football
is on a downward slide that will be difficult to arrest if the country does not address its failings across all levels of the sport.
That is the warning coming from experienced and respected voices within the game in South Africa – and the message is also echoed by some of the country’s brightest hopes on the pitch.
South Africa will not be at this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil, whose national team reinforced the inadequacies of the current Bafana Bafana side when they thrashed them 5-0 in a friendly in Johannesburg on 5 March.
That defeat felt like a truer representation of where Gordon Igesund’s team are at the moment, rather than their 1-0 victory over reigning world champions Spain in a friendly in November – a victory that was seemingly no more than an anomaly.
In the last decade there have been no signs of a return to the form that secured South Africa the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, a runners-up finish in 1998 and third place in 2000.
Since then, they reached the quarter-finals only twice – and it was viewed as a massive when disappointment when they went out at that stage as hosts of last year’s edition – and failed to qualify at all in 2010 and 2012.
Add to that a single World Cup finals appearance since 2002 – as hosts in 2010 – and the statistics make for grim reading.
Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Hans Vonk believes that the underlying reasons run deep.
“Back in 1998 South Africa had a great team but it wasn’t part of a bigger plan,” said Vonk.
“There is a lack of quality coaches in South Africa, so a lot of talented young players fail to be recognised and they don’t have enough guidance to reach top level.
“All in all, the structure is not there. In the top flight, the Premier League, there are good coaches but there is nothing underneath the surface,” added Vonk, who was capped 43 times by South Africa between 1997 and 2005.
“If you compare with Brazil, for instance, they seem to be able to develop good street footballers from favelas but South Africa does not. You have to ask yourself why it isn’t possible for young South Africans to enter into national youth programmes.
“Professional football at the highest level doesn’t guarantee an inflow of youngsters up to the highest level. In South Africa they have tried to import knowledge from abroad but they harbour suspicions against input from foreign coaches.”
It is a view that is shared by former Ajax Cape Town coach Foppe de Haan, who is also worried about the future of the South African Premier League.
“The rejuvenation of the teams in the competition is not there; the average age of players in the Premier Soccer League is really high and clubs tend to make use of old, physically strong footballers in the competition,” he said.
In August 1996 South Africa were 16th in Fifa’s world rankings, they currently sit in 54th place
“While rugby is part of South African schools, football is most often taught by committed teachers with no football background. South Africa Football Association President Danny Jordaan already mentioned a youth league would increase the quality at senior level in the long run, and I can only back this up.
“I’ve tried to teach the players to play modern football instead of classical kick and rush and in the end it paid off, which proves South African footballers do have the capabilities to play modern football.
“If you want to improve the level, you need quality coaches; therefore you need to school them as well.”
The problem with coaching at grass roots level and the fact that the current crop of top-flight players and Bafana Bafana internationals aren’t considered up to the required standard means the situation may well feel bleak to fans in South Africa.
But Ajax and Bafana Bafana midfielder Thulani Serero is optimistic that the talent is coming through and feels it simply needs to be harnessed and nurtured.
“They definitely should create more programs with showcases and tournaments that could be held in schools. I’ve seen players out there that are good enough.”
However, Serero’s attitude towards outside influences, “we don’t need foreign involvement and instead should rely on our own vision and thoughts on football”, appears to back up Vonk’s claim that the football mentality in South Africa is an insular one.
It is an opinion that strikes an odd chord given Serero plays his football in Netherlands, and also when you look at South Africa’s fall from being one of the continent’s heavyweights to the 12th best in Africa, according to Fifa’s rankings for March.
While South Africa’s football philosophy faulters, Serrero and another of South Africa’s brightest talents, Kamohelo Mokotjo, are thriving with Dutch sides.
And PEC Zwolle defensive midfielder Mokotjo, who is currently topping the polls for the Eredivisie Player of the Year award, hinted that the environment in South Africa is not beneficial for players learning their craft.
“Back in the day South African footballers were really humble and knew their tasks. On the pitch you wanted to play for each other; there was cohesion,” said the 22-year-old.
“Now there is no game plan and no vision. All the lines are now working separately from each other.”
Yet Mokotjo is hopeful that attitudes will change and South Africa will find their way back to right path.
“Sticking together is the best remedy for now. We have a new generation of football players and it’s about how you put all the pieces of the puzzle together. That’s going to make a difference,” he said.
It is a puzzle that may take a long time to solve.
Ian Hughes & Pieter Stroink van Eizenga writes for BBC Sport.
Ian Hughes & Pieter Stroink van Eizenga
Atletico Madrid scored five goals against city rivals Real for the first time in nearly 75 years when they fought back from behind in a pulsating derby.
It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five in a Madrid derby, the last occasion being a 6-3 victory in November 1950.
Real lost for the first time this season, having won all six of their opening La Liga matches as well as their first Champions League tie, a 2-1 victory over Marseille.
The last time Real conceded as many in La Liga was a 5-1 defeat by Barcelona in October 2018.
Robin le Normand’s header had given Diego Simeone’s side an early lead that was overturned by superb goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler.
But Alexander Sorloth levelled the game at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
And the hosts took charge after the break when Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converted from the penalty spot before curling home a brilliant free-kick.
Atletico went into their shell, but held their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann grabbed their fifth goal deep into stoppage time.
The result maintained an impressive record against Real in La Liga for Simeone’s side, who have not lost in their past six league encounters with Los Blancos.
PSG Regain Top Position In France (7)
Paris St-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a comfortable victory over Auxerre at the weekend.
Illia Zabarnyi scored his first goal for the club since his summer move from Bournemouth when he volleyed in at the back post from Vitihna’s cross at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
The home side doubled their lead when Lucas Beraldo headed home from Senny Mayulu’s cross.
PSG moved above Marseille, who beat them on Monday, as they made it five wins from their opening six league matches.
Auxerre had their chances, with a fierce shot from Kevin Danois striking the woodwork and Sekou Mara having a header cleared off the line.
There were further opportunities for Luis Enrique’s side but Achraf Hakimi’s dink was ruled out for offside and Bradley Barcola sent a header over the bar.
Auxerre are 13th in the table with four defeats from six matches.
PSG travel to Barcelona on Wednesday in their second Champions League group stage match.
Before the PSG match, Marseille scored two late goals to move level on points with hosts Strasbourg and go top of Ligue 1 on goal difference.
Strasbourg looked on track to move four points clear at the top until the 78th minute as Abdoul Ouattara’s goal had them ahead.
But former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the equaliser, and Amir Murillo completed the turnaround as the clock ticked into added time.
Aubameyang was first to the rebound following his own shot to level the score after goalkeeper Mike Penders spilled the initial shot.
Penders, on loan from Chelsea, seemed to have done better in stoppage time when he tipped substitute Robinio Vaz’s header onto the crossbar, but the rebound landed with Murillo.
Marseille were top with five teams all on 12 points, including Strasbourg who were in fifth place.
Kane Sets Elite Scoring Record With Bayern (5)
Harry Kane scored twice in Bayern Munich’s win over Werder Bremen last Friday to become the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a club playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The England captain won and converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time, before firing home from close range in the 65th minute to reach the century mark in just 104 games.
The previous record of 105 games was set by Cristiano Ronaldo while playing for Real Madrid in 2011, and matched by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland last year.
Former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz had opened the scoring when he deflected in a Jonathan Tah flick from a corner, while Konrad Laimer slipped home a late fourth as leaders Bayern preserved their unbeaten start to the season.
Kane broke two other records in his side’s 4-1 victory against Hoffenheim last weekend, during which he scored a hat-trick.
He reached 70 Bundesliga goals in just his 67th game in the competition, faster than anyone else in the league’s history.
Previously, the 32-year-old broke the record for the most goals scored in 50 Bundesliga games (54 goals), and the fewest number of games needed to reach 50 goals in the competition (43 matches).
On Friday, Kane also became the first player in Bundesliga history to convert their first 18 penalties, as well as score 18 consecutive spot-kicks.
Kane was the first player in Bundesliga history to finish top scorer in both his first two seasons, and the only player to score 25 or more goals in their first two campaigns in the competition.
He has started this campaign with 15 in eight games in all competitions – including two hat-tricks in five Bundesliga games, with Vincent Kompany’s side top of the league table with a 100% record.
Kane is the highest scoring Englishman in Champions League history (42 goals), and scored against all 20 teams he has faced in the Bundesliga.
Only Miroslav Klose has played against more sides, while scoring against all of them (28).
Kane joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in a £100m transfer in 2023, having scored 280 goals in 435 games in all competitions for the Premier League club.
He has two years remaining on the four-year contract he signed with the Munich outfit, although he has recently been linked with former club Spurs and Manchester United.
But when asked on Friday if he was thinking of a Premier League return, Kane said: “No, not at the moment. I’m really happy here. I have two years left on my contract.
“I’m enjoying every moment. That is not in my thought process. I’m enjoying it with the team, with the coach, and hopefully we continue to be successful.”
Ange Postecoglou’s difficult start to life as Nottingham Forest head coach continued as Omar Alderete’s first-half goal gave Sunderland victory at the City Ground.
The former Spurs boss, appointed on 9 September, has now lost three and drawn two of his first five games in charge, with Saturday’s loss coming in his first home game with Forest.
But the hosts will feel aggrieved by the manner of Sunderland’s winner, with the visitors awarded a free-kick when Nicolas Dominguez was penalised for simulation when he clashed with Trai Hume while attempting to clear.
Grant Xhaka sent the ball in from the set-piece and Alderete was there to direct it into the net.
Dan Ndoye came close to equalising just before the break with a deflected effort before Chris Wood headed over.
Elliot Anderson curled a shot just over the bar as Forest pushed for the leveller in the second half, while Robin Roefs, who has been excellent for Sunderland so far this season – saved well from Omari Hutchinson, Wood and a long-range Anderson effort.
But despite the pressure, Forest could not find a goal as promoted Sunderland’s third win of the season moved them up to third in the table.
Forest, meanwhile, are 16th with just one win from their first six Premier League games.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes had a second-half penalty saved as Ruben Amorim’s side slipped to a Premier League defeat at Brentford at the weekend.
United were trying to fight their way back after Igor Thiago capitalised on some shambolic United defending inside the first 20 minutes to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
Benjamin Sesko pulled one back with his first goal since making a £74m summer move from RB Leipzig.
Fernandes was given the chance to level when Bees captain Nathan Collins dragged former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo back inside the area.
After a delay of almost five minutes, which included a video assistant referee red card check against Collins and Brentford making two substitutions, Fernandes’ low effort was turned away by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Brentford wrapped it up deep in stoppage time when Mathias Jensen drove a high shot past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from the edge of the area.
-
Oil & Energy2 days ago“PENGASSAN Orders Halt Of Gas Supply To Dangote Refinery
-
Education2 days ago
Students Eulogises PGSA Leadership Role in RSU dev
-
News2 days agoNigeria At 65: RSG Holds Special Church Service …Cleric Calls For Peace
-
Niger Delta2 days agoDelta, Tantita Security Services Inaugurate Classrooms for Inmate Education
-
Sports2 days agoChelsea Fall At Stamford Bridge
-
Editorial2 days agoCharge Before New Rivers Council Helmsmen
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoDigital Technology Key To Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Future
-
News2 days agoDisclose appointment process of INEC chairman, SERAP tells Tinubu