South Africa and Development Football
The Most successful footballing countries in the past 4 to 8 years have been mostly in Europe and South America. With too many question asked to why is that so, the best answers or rather answer could be development football.
Firstly, at what age do they refer a youngster to? 16-21, 18-23?
Let’s start by naming a few international youngsters
Name Date of BirthNationality Club Postition
Raheem Sterling08/12/1994E nglandLiverpoolWinger/Second Striker
William Carvalho07/03/1992PortugalSporting CPDefensive Mid/ Central Mid /Centre back
Julian Draxler20/09/1993GermanySchalkeCAM/ LW/RW
Philippe Coutinho12/06/1992BrazilLiverpoolCAM/LW/RW/CF
Luke Shaw12/07/1995EnglandMan UnitedLeft Back
Lazar Markovic02/03/1994SerbiaLiverpoolRW/LW/CF/ST
Calhum Chambers20/01/1995EnglandArsenalLeft Back /Centre Back
Paul Pogba15/03/1993FranceJuventusCM/CMD/CAM
Allen Halilvoic18/06/1996CroatiaDinamo Zagreb (Currently Barcelona)CAM/RW/CM
Resureccion Koke08/01/1992SpainAtletico MadridLW/CAM/RW/CM
Ross Barkley5/12/1993EnglandEvertonRW/LW/CAM
The above mentions are players between the ages 18-22 and most have represented their national teams at every age level. Most of them are chasing high numbers with their senior caps.
Now the points to highlight here are; age, sustainability, replacements and versatility. Most of these players have become very instrumental for both club and country at a very young age and already are making waves in the European leagues for their respective clubs.
Development & Academy:
Development football is everywhere in the world but do we as South Africa, as a footballing nation know its use? Do we know how to benefit from it? Do we pay enough attention and money to see it grow?
Well the answer to that is; No, but firstly let me acknowledge Multichoice for taking initiative in partnering with the PSL by presenting The Multichoice Diski Challenge. The initiative is huge in a way that it’s making waves more than the NFD and I think it’s great that it closes the gap between the Development and the first team.
But if it wasn’t for the MDC (Multichoice Diski Challenge) I don’t think development would be making waves as it is at the moment. South Africa should start capitalising on such initiatives as the MDC because we have vast talent and it’s up to us to groom it. Since we have given these youngsters a platform I think teams (senior head coaches, technical directors) should now start looking to create depth from within the team. I believe the transition for the young players will be easy, moving from the development to the first team. By doing this, not only are the PSL teams benefiting but the national squads too (u/17- Bafana Bafana) & we have sustainability of players, and I mean quality players. Transition also from u/17 to the senior national team will be very smooth for players
To make sense I will compares us to other footballing nations; taking a look at the former and current World Cup winners Span and Germany.
They have had a solid selection of players who had been together from developments.
Spain
Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas (6) coming from the La Mas academy and they implemented the tiki-taka style within the first team and also in the national team with a few Real Madrid players. So the transition of the other 5 Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi , Pique, Fabregas joining Carles Puyol who was the oldest in the Barcelona team was smooth becomes the adaption to the style of playing is similar and it’s the basic style of Catalan football. And one most important factor these players have a winning mentality which is taken from their club performances.
Germany
The current World Champions are made up of versatile players, players from different parts of the world (leagues). The key of this national team was the amount of players who have played together throughout the different age groups of the nation and some of course from Bayern Munich.
The likes of Michael Ballack, Thomas Hitzlberger, Frings , Lehman and with their retirement, they didn’t leave much of a void in the team when they retired because the likes of Schweinstiger, Lahm, Butt and Jansen, Lukas Podliski, Miroslav Klose were player part of the Bayern Munich team and of which it also has a certain development structure. This now has also linked up the likes of Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller to link up with the likes of Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus from the young national German teams. These players end up being together in the senior national team and familiar with each other and know how one player plays and they are able to connect.
What’s The Case with South Africa?
When it comes to South Africa, players are always rotated we have never had a consistent call up of players. And I believe that some players who were getting the call up had it easy because there was not much competition. With the national team, we have so much talent to choose from. I believe in the next year or two national coaches should even have difficulty of calling up players because of the vast of young talent at our disposal.
Before we continue let’s take a look at the youngsters from South Africa:
Name Age Club Position
Ayabulela Magqwaka12/01/1996Ajax Cape TownDefender
Rivaldo Roberto Coezee16/10/1996Ajax Cape TownDefender
Tebogo Moerane07/04/1995Bidvest WitsDefender
Asive Langwe20/06/1993Bidvest WitsWinger
Darren Smith26/03/1996Amazulu
Abbubaker Mobara18/02/1994Ajax Cape TownDefenderOlwethu Nguye23/03/1996Ajax Cape TownMidfielder
Morne Nel23/05/1996SuperSport UnitedMidfielder
Alan Robertson 17/02/1994University Of PretoriaDefender
Ziyaad Eksteen21/01/1996Ajax Cape TownForward
Drando George Petersen17/03/1996Ajax Cape TownGoalkeeper
Bantu Mzwakali09/11/1993Ajax Cape TownMidfielderTyroane Sandows 12/02/1995Gremio (Brazil)Attacking Mid/Winger
Phatizwe Sacalo1993IFK Varnamo (Sweden)Attacking Midfielder
Menzi Masuku15/04/1993Orlando PiratesAttacking Midfielder
Bandile Shandu19/01/1995Maritzburg UnitedWinger
Sibusiso MsibiPolokwane CityAttacing Mid
Khanyiso Mayo1998Chippa UnitedStriker
Lorenzo Gordinho26/04/1994Kaizer ChiefsDefender
With the South African players I have mentioned over 15 players, with intentions to highlight that we have so much talent but then it’s all thanks to the MDC that we have seen some of these youngsters proving themselves, whereas some of the players mentioned above have had some game time in the PSL.
Rivaldo Roberto Coezee, South Africa’s latest discovery, the youngster has made a name for himself becoming the youngest capped player for SA at age 17 but his record was then quickly surpassed by Fagrie Lakay recently, something which puts a huge smile on my face and a million other football fanatics. He is continuously included in the starting 11 of Rodger De Sar. And is now the heart of defence for Ajax.
Abbubaker Mobara, partnering Coetzee in defence, Mobara has been exceptional for Ajax, also being eyed by a few big clubs in the PSL. Mobara is also versatile, on some occasions he has been seen marshalling the midfield for Ajax. SuperSport Commentators Sizwe Mabena and Brain Mathe mentioned that they prefer him in that position for he is more offensive going forward and coming back and helping out in defence.
Olwethu Nguye 18-year-old Olwethu Nguye had a success story of his own when he made his PSL debut after replacing Keagan Dolly in the 72nd minute in one of the PSL matches. Head coach Roger de Sa previously stated that the Urban Warriors has the best academy in the country, and Nguye is yet another testament to the Ajax philosophy of ‘No Youth No Future’. “My football career started at Vasco da Gama back in 2004 at the age of eight, but only played there for one year before I was scouted by Ajax while playing in a tournament,”
The Langa born player mentioned that some of his football achievements was making the SA under 19 National Team, travelling to Amsterdam to partake in the Copa Amsterdam and Terborg TNT (which Ajax made to the semi-finals in both tournaments), and picking up the Player of the Season award twice while coming through the academy ranks.
(Source: www.kickoff.com)
Ziyaad Eksteen, The attacking midfielder proved himself during the pre-season camp in George and will be a great addition to the squad of Roger de Sa. Last May, the Salt River born player, played a major role in the European campaign of the U19 team, only missing out on two of the 12 matches. Ari Efstathiou: “Once again the Ajax Youth Academy has proved its value. This fine youngster has been in the academy since the age of ten and impressed the technical team on many occasions. I am convinced he will become one of our future stars within the first team.”
(Source: www.kickoff.com)
Morne Nel, 18 years, great physique, vision, physical presence in the midfield, wears Number 17 for Supersport, and I noticed him when he was just 17.The player was included in the squad against Orlando Pirates in their 2-1 loss in the PSL and supplied Thuso Phala with a great assist, showing great vision and great technical ability. Coach Gordon Igesund not well known for his faith in the youngsters, but compliments to him for spotting the talent coach Cavin Johnson noticed too.
Lorenzo Gordinho, 20 years of age, great physique, physical presence in the defence and he is able to read the game. It was great to see the former Benoni High man being a defensive option for Coach Stuart Baxter. The Player is seen as replace to either Morgan Gould or Tefu Mashamaite who are now in their 30s.
Having mentioned 4 Ajax players, it comes with acknowledging them as the leading team who are more determined to open up a platform for young upcoming talent. And also upholding their philosophy.
South Africa has talent, especially these youngsters, if we can capitalise on that, moving forward as a footballing unit we are going far as the PSL and Bafana Bafana.
Some teams are suffering and finding it hard to maintain their performance week in-week out in the PSL. Amazulu are placed last in table standings with a single win in 15 games. At the start of the season they had less the 5 players under 23 not 19 but 23, showing that the team lacks a bit of freshness when it comes to young talent.
Sundowns too, has a lot of players, young and destined but obviously they have so much buying power so it’s very rare for them to go into their youth ranks and obtained what they require. But I believe if you have 3-5 players who are top of the drawer and are almost similar with their style of play and mostly in the same position, it affects not only the team but also the national team, because some good players are on the bench and it limits the national coach’s options. Even though it provides the team with depth but if a player is top class and knows he deserves some game time it’s not always pleasant atmosphere on the training ground.
Back in the late stages of the 90s (97,98), Mr Farouk Khan was in charge of the young boys of Kaizer Chiefs and at the that time 5-7 players in the starting line-up where from the development. So as a team it’s easy to plan moving forward because we have depth and we can either buy 2-3 players in the transfer window just to have more options based on experience, quality and future uses.
This also has been evident for the likes of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger’s philosophy of utilizing young players and continuously introducing new talent has helped the world of football, they benefit from it along the way. Arsenal has off-loaded some sensational talent to teams around Europe. And with this philosophy Arsenal is not renowned for breaking the bank when it comes to the transfer window. Yes they are not winning trophies season in and season out but they are always top seeded when it comes to the UCL. And always part of the top four in EPL. I say let’s use this initiative of the MDC to enhance and strengthen the depth in our teams. By that we create an extended run of competition for a starting line-up; we are giving the national coach more options to choose from. And we must give credit to Coach Shakes Mashaba his use of young blood has moved South Africa up in the FIFA rankings and we secured a spot in 2015 AFCON without a defeat.
The platform for young players has not been a good one for young talent in SA, yes we have seen a few tournaments being hosted but where else do we see these players, and what happens to them,
I am a strong believer of young talent, and I believe that if we can take youngsters seriously. Tactically, with the mixture of South Africa football (flair) these youngsters seem to understand the tradition of local football, with that being the image of South African football we are moving forward in positive direction. I plead to PSL coaches along with their tactical & technical teams please give these youngsters their chance, keep their hope alive. With all due respect some of the first team players in most teams have become very complacent with the fact of knowing that a starting position is guaranteed. I say the introduction of a few young sensational players to challenge a few players; it will keep their standard of the team up along with its performance.
In final words, South Africa is forever blessed with talent and week-in-week-out we have Soccer Laduma and Kick Off having retired players sharing their experiences about the game and how some wish they had done the right things to stay on top of their game and how they wish to help the upcoming stars not do the same mistakes but also sometimes these players run out of patience so it’d be good to give them a taste to what they should be patient for.
Masibusane Zongo was part of package that came with the likes of Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo, my word, what a talented left-footed player who should causing havoc in the PSL but with speculations stating his ill-discipline issues, breaks my heart and other football fanatics. I don’t want to see another aspiring footballer going down the same path. Again thanks to the Multichoice Diski Challenge that they are helping with Life Skills and Financial Advising to the young players participating in the MDC.
As Ajax Cape Town’s philosophy says “NO YOUTH NO FUTURE”.
Vuyolethu Sithatu
The Most successful footballing countries in the past 4 to 8 years have been mostly in Europe and South America. With too many question asked to why is that so, the best answers or rather answer could be development football.
Firstly, at what age do they refer a youngster to? 16-21, 18-23?
Let’s start by naming a few international youngsters
Name Date of BirthNationality Club Postition
Raheem Sterling08/12/1994E nglandLiverpoolWinger/Second Striker
William Carvalho07/03/1992PortugalSporting CPDefensive Mid/ Central Mid /Centre back
Julian Draxler20/09/1993GermanySchalkeCAM/ LW/RW
Philippe Coutinho12/06/1992BrazilLiverpoolCAM/LW/RW/CF
Luke Shaw12/07/1995EnglandMan UnitedLeft Back
Lazar Markovic02/03/1994SerbiaLiverpoolRW/LW/CF/ST
Calhum Chambers20/01/1995EnglandArsenalLeft Back /Centre Back
Paul Pogba15/03/1993FranceJuventusCM/CMD/CAM
Allen Halilvoic18/06/1996CroatiaDinamo Zagreb (Currently Barcelona)CAM/RW/CM
Resureccion Koke08/01/1992SpainAtletico MadridLW/CAM/RW/CM
Ross Barkley5/12/1993EnglandEvertonRW/LW/CAM
The above mentions are players between the ages 18-22 and most have represented their national teams at every age level. Most of them are chasing high numbers with their senior caps.
Now the points to highlight here are; age, sustainability, replacements and versatility. Most of these players have become very instrumental for both club and country at a very young age and already are making waves in the European leagues for their respective clubs.
Development & Academy:
Development football is everywhere in the world but do we as South Africa, as a footballing nation know its use? Do we know how to benefit from it? Do we pay enough attention and money to see it grow?
Well the answer to that is; No, but firstly let me acknowledge Multichoice for taking initiative in partnering with the PSL by presenting The Multichoice Diski Challenge. The initiative is huge in a way that it’s making waves more than the NFD and I think it’s great that it closes the gap between the Development and the first team.
But if it wasn’t for the MDC (Multichoice Diski Challenge) I don’t think development would be making waves as it is at the moment. South Africa should start capitalising on such initiatives as the MDC because we have vast talent and it’s up to us to groom it. Since we have given these youngsters a platform I think teams (senior head coaches, technical directors) should now start looking to create depth from within the team. I believe the transition for the young players will be easy, moving from the development to the first team. By doing this, not only are the PSL teams benefiting but the national squads too (u/17- Bafana Bafana) & we have sustainability of players, and I mean quality players. Transition also from u/17 to the senior national team will be very smooth for players
To make sense I will compares us to other footballing nations; taking a look at the former and current World Cup winners Span and Germany.
They have had a solid selection of players who had been together from developments.
Spain
Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas (6) coming from the La Mas academy and they implemented the tiki-taka style within the first team and also in the national team with a few Real Madrid players. So the transition of the other 5 Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi , Pique, Fabregas joining Carles Puyol who was the oldest in the Barcelona team was smooth becomes the adaption to the style of playing is similar and it’s the basic style of Catalan football. And one most important factor these players have a winning mentality which is taken from their club performances.
Germany
The current World Champions are made up of versatile players, players from different parts of the world (leagues). The key of this national team was the amount of players who have played together throughout the different age groups of the nation and some of course from Bayern Munich.
The likes of Michael Ballack, Thomas Hitzlberger, Frings , Lehman and with their retirement, they didn’t leave much of a void in the team when they retired because the likes of Schweinstiger, Lahm, Butt and Jansen, Lukas Podliski, Miroslav Klose were player part of the Bayern Munich team and of which it also has a certain development structure. This now has also linked up the likes of Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller to link up with the likes of Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus from the young national German teams. These players end up being together in the senior national team and familiar with each other and know how one player plays and they are able to connect.
What’s The Case with South Africa?
When it comes to South Africa, players are always rotated we have never had a consistent call up of players. And I believe that some players who were getting the call up had it easy because there was not much competition. With the national team, we have so much talent to choose from. I believe in the next year or two national coaches should even have difficulty of calling up players because of the vast of young talent at our disposal.
Before we continue let’s take a look at the youngsters from South Africa:
Name Age Club Position
Ayabulela Magqwaka12/01/1996Ajax Cape TownDefender
Rivaldo Roberto Coezee16/10/1996Ajax Cape TownDefender
Tebogo Moerane07/04/1995Bidvest WitsDefender
Asive Langwe20/06/1993Bidvest WitsWinger
Darren Smith26/03/1996Amazulu
Abbubaker Mobara18/02/1994Ajax Cape TownDefenderOlwethu Nguye23/03/1996Ajax Cape TownMidfielder
Morne Nel23/05/1996SuperSport UnitedMidfielder
Alan Robertson 17/02/1994University Of PretoriaDefender
Ziyaad Eksteen21/01/1996Ajax Cape TownForward
Drando George Petersen17/03/1996Ajax Cape TownGoalkeeper
Bantu Mzwakali09/11/1993Ajax Cape TownMidfielderTyroane Sandows 12/02/1995Gremio (Brazil)Attacking Mid/Winger
Phatizwe Sacalo1993IFK Varnamo (Sweden)Attacking Midfielder
Menzi Masuku15/04/1993Orlando PiratesAttacking Midfielder
Bandile Shandu19/01/1995Maritzburg UnitedWinger
Sibusiso MsibiPolokwane CityAttacing Mid
Khanyiso Mayo1998Chippa UnitedStriker
Lorenzo Gordinho26/04/1994Kaizer ChiefsDefender
With the South African players I have mentioned over 15 players, with intentions to highlight that we have so much talent but then it’s all thanks to the MDC that we have seen some of these youngsters proving themselves, whereas some of the players mentioned above have had some game time in the PSL.
Rivaldo Roberto Coezee, South Africa’s latest discovery, the youngster has made a name for himself becoming the youngest capped player for SA at age 17 but his record was then quickly surpassed by Fagrie Lakay recently, something which puts a huge smile on my face and a million other football fanatics. He is continuously included in the starting 11 of Rodger De Sar. And is now the heart of defence for Ajax.
Abbubaker Mobara, partnering Coetzee in defence, Mobara has been exceptional for Ajax, also being eyed by a few big clubs in the PSL. Mobara is also versatile, on some occasions he has been seen marshalling the midfield for Ajax. SuperSport Commentators Sizwe Mabena and Brain Mathe mentioned that they prefer him in that position for he is more offensive going forward and coming back and helping out in defence.
Olwethu Nguye 18-year-old Olwethu Nguye had a success story of his own when he made his PSL debut after replacing Keagan Dolly in the 72nd minute in one of the PSL matches. Head coach Roger de Sa previously stated that the Urban Warriors has the best academy in the country, and Nguye is yet another testament to the Ajax philosophy of ‘No Youth No Future’. “My football career started at Vasco da Gama back in 2004 at the age of eight, but only played there for one year before I was scouted by Ajax while playing in a tournament,”
The Langa born player mentioned that some of his football achievements was making the SA under 19 National Team, travelling to Amsterdam to partake in the Copa Amsterdam and Terborg TNT (which Ajax made to the semi-finals in both tournaments), and picking up the Player of the Season award twice while coming through the academy ranks.
(Source: www.kickoff.com)
Ziyaad Eksteen, The attacking midfielder proved himself during the pre-season camp in George and will be a great addition to the squad of Roger de Sa. Last May, the Salt River born player, played a major role in the European campaign of the U19 team, only missing out on two of the 12 matches. Ari Efstathiou: “Once again the Ajax Youth Academy has proved its value. This fine youngster has been in the academy since the age of ten and impressed the technical team on many occasions. I am convinced he will become one of our future stars within the first team.”
(Source: www.kickoff.com)
Morne Nel, 18 years, great physique, vision, physical presence in the midfield, wears Number 17 for Supersport, and I noticed him when he was just 17.The player was included in the squad against Orlando Pirates in their 2-1 loss in the PSL and supplied Thuso Phala with a great assist, showing great vision and great technical ability. Coach Gordon Igesund not well known for his faith in the youngsters, but compliments to him for spotting the talent coach Cavin Johnson noticed too.
Lorenzo Gordinho, 20 years of age, great physique, physical presence in the defence and he is able to read the game. It was great to see the former Benoni High man being a defensive option for Coach Stuart Baxter. The Player is seen as replace to either Morgan Gould or Tefu Mashamaite who are now in their 30s.
Having mentioned 4 Ajax players, it comes with acknowledging them as the leading team who are more determined to open up a platform for young upcoming talent. And also upholding their philosophy.
South Africa has talent, especially these youngsters, if we can capitalise on that, moving forward as a footballing unit we are going far as the PSL and Bafana Bafana.
Some teams are suffering and finding it hard to maintain their performance week in-week out in the PSL. Amazulu are placed last in table standings with a single win in 15 games. At the start of the season they had less the 5 players under 23 not 19 but 23, showing that the team lacks a bit of freshness when it comes to young talent.
Sundowns too, has a lot of players, young and destined but obviously they have so much buying power so it’s very rare for them to go into their youth ranks and obtained what they require. But I believe if you have 3-5 players who are top of the drawer and are almost similar with their style of play and mostly in the same position, it affects not only the team but also the national team, because some good players are on the bench and it limits the national coach’s options. Even though it provides the team with depth but if a player is top class and knows he deserves some game time it’s not always pleasant atmosphere on the training ground.
Back in the late stages of the 90s (97,98), Mr Farouk Khan was in charge of the young boys of Kaizer Chiefs and at the that time 5-7 players in the starting line-up where from the development. So as a team it’s easy to plan moving forward because we have depth and we can either buy 2-3 players in the transfer window just to have more options based on experience, quality and future uses.
This also has been evident for the likes of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger’s philosophy of utilizing young players and continuously introducing new talent has helped the world of football, they benefit from it along the way. Arsenal has off-loaded some sensational talent to teams around Europe. And with this philosophy Arsenal is not renowned for breaking the bank when it comes to the transfer window. Yes they are not winning trophies season in and season out but they are always top seeded when it comes to the UCL. And always part of the top four in EPL. I say let’s use this initiative of the MDC to enhance and strengthen the depth in our teams. By that we create an extended run of competition for a starting line-up; we are giving the national coach more options to choose from. And we must give credit to Coach Shakes Mashaba his use of young blood has moved South Africa up in the FIFA rankings and we secured a spot in 2015 AFCON without a defeat.
The platform for young players has not been a good one for young talent in SA, yes we have seen a few tournaments being hosted but where else do we see these players, and what happens to them,
I am a strong believer of young talent, and I believe that if we can take youngsters seriously. Tactically, with the mixture of South Africa football (flair) these youngsters seem to understand the tradition of local football, with that being the image of South African football we are moving forward in positive direction. I plead to PSL coaches along with their tactical & technical teams please give these youngsters their chance, keep their hope alive. With all due respect some of the first team players in most teams have become very complacent with the fact of knowing that a starting position is guaranteed. I say the introduction of a few young sensational players to challenge a few players; it will keep their standard of the team up along with its performance.
In final words, South Africa is forever blessed with talent and week-in-week-out we have Soccer Laduma and Kick Off having retired players sharing their experiences about the game and how some wish they had done the right things to stay on top of their game and how they wish to help the upcoming stars not do the same mistakes but also sometimes these players run out of patience so it’d be good to give them a taste to what they should be patient for.
Masibusane Zongo was part of package that came with the likes of Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo, my word, what a talented left-footed player who should causing havoc in the PSL but with speculations stating his ill-discipline issues, breaks my heart and other football fanatics. I don’t want to see another aspiring footballer going down the same path. Again thanks to the Multichoice Diski Challenge that they are helping with Life Skills and Financial Advising to the young players participating in the MDC.
As Ajax Cape Town’s philosophy says “NO YOUTH NO FUTURE”.
Vuyolethu Sithatu
