Editor's Column - Clint Roper
SA U23
So, over the past couple of weeks, this column has been used to praise beautiful football and why stop if the opportunity presents itself again and again? I'm not talking about our showpiece event – the Soweto Derby – where 90 000-plus fans filled a stadium to watch Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates go head-to-head. I'm talking about our national U23 team who put on an absolute show against Zimbabwe to walk away 3-0 winners and qualify for the CAF U23 Championships. Once again this was a performance that showed the true DNA that is the natural fabric of South African soccer. Pace, power, but more than that, invention, artistry, confidence, mastery of disguising a pass or shot or turn. And the cherry on top, the three goals that ensured that any crowd-pleasing could not be shouted down by those who like to point at the score-line when confronted with beautiful football as the standard. Big ups to Owen da Gama for having the guts to let our lads play the South African way. Big ups to our lads for accepting the responsibility that comes with that. I say responsibility because when it comes to expressing yourself on a football field there is a fine line between being self-indulgent and being an entertainer. Yes, the great entertainers all love the accolades, the applause, the thrill of making little kids gasp and turning old men into little kids again as they witness magic that makes their heart beat a little faster and their pulses race. But they all also hurt immensely when they lose. They hurt along with their supporters. Maradona's tears at losing a World Cup final or the fact that the most beautiful goal ever scored in a World Cup was celebrated with the pure passion that came with sticking it to the English. Paul Gascoigne's passion and complete hatred for losing as big as his need to entertain. Eric Cantona who delighted the crowd but needed to win at all costs always. George Best with a need to delight the fans, but just as big a need to be the best, to win things. And that's why sometimes I feel our lads, our entertainers, are attacked when entertaining is not matched with the need to win at all costs. That at times the shibobo is celebrated by the magician himself even in a losing performance and coaches and supporters pick up on that, which is one of the reasons I feel maybe the entertainers go into hiding in South African football at times. So to Keagan Dolly and Co., top performance lads – now take us all the way to the Olympic Games in Rio! Another derby that captured my attention this weekend was the London derby in England. Chelsea and Arsenal did battle in the Community Shield and I was delighted that the King of anti-football was badly undone by the Champion of entertaining football. And what's more, you know it hurt Mourinho from the way he tried to make the final about himself by trying to elicit a handshake from Wenger knowing full well it would never be forthcoming. And that in so doing the media would focus more on what happened off the field than what happened on it. Arsenal are serious contenders, and the way they play the game makes you have to love them if you love the beautiful game. You want to watch Arsenal play, there is a certain magic about them and while there may never be another class of 'Invincibles' (the Arsenal team of 2003/4 that went unbeaten as they romped to the league title) in the famous red and white of the Gunners, this may just become a class of 'Irresistibles' if they continue to dish out this brand of football on a weekly basis. As for our own derby, once again there was lots of hustle and bustle and at times it threatened to become the game it should be, but for me it is still missing that magic something. Yes, the two goals were well-taken, make no mistake, and maybe one needs to keep in mind it's still early days. It will be great to see our teams get the ball rolling in the MTN8 games this week. I have a feeling it could turn into a very special PSL season. To all the clubs, coaches and players involved, good luck lads and give us a show. Just a reminder to all of those who played our Predictor games on our website last season - it's time to sign up again. This season we would like to welcome Amstel to Predictor. They will be the official sponsor of our PSL Predictor game and there are going to be some amazing monthly prizes as well as an awesome grand prize. So head to www.snl24.com/soccerladuma and join our predictor leagues. You can play all or any one of the PSL, EPL, La Liga and Champions League predictor games. Besides the prizes you get the opportunity to beat all the Soccer Laduma staff that think they know this game, so come and show us what you got! Shappa Clint
