Editor's Column - Clint Roper
It wasn't convincing, it lacked class and killer instinct, but it was full of fight and character all done for South Africa's pride… so to Owen da Gama and our U23 team, big ups, fellows! We are on our way to the Rio 2016 Olympics and at last South African soccer has something to brag about and look forward to. A lot of work lies ahead between now and then if we want to be competitive, but if we're honest we know that the work probably won't be done. There will be posturing about development, there will be excuses and finger-pointing by all and sundry; we will be participate at the Olympics, no less but certainly no more. Again, we will just be making up the numbers. Unfortunately that's just the way we roll and, until SAFA prove me wrong, I think that's the way it will be. In fact the little hope I do have for some kind of miracle at the Olympics is firmly pinned on Banyana Banyana, who somehow – despite women's football in this country having nothing close to the level of professionalism or resources that the PSL and SAFA have to produce world-class talent – seem to be catching up with international standards quicker than our men's teams. With the qualification of our U23 team, all of a sudden there has been talk about a 'golden generation' and how this young team could be our future. It's uncanny because it's the same kind of conversations our country had the last time a South African U23 team qualified for the Olympics… and we all know how that turned out. Before anyone suggests that this generation of South African players will help change the status quo on the African continent in years to come, please have at look at the latest nominees for the various men's categories of the Glo-CAF awards. For Youth Player of the Year, there are two young players from Mali, two from Nigeria, one from Ghana and one from Cote d'Ivoire. The Most Promising Talent in Africa category sees another two players from Nigeria, one from Mali, one from Egypt and one from Algeria. There is not a single young South African player anywhere to be seen, yet we boast about having one of the richest leagues on the continent with much better resources than most. Some might argue that these continental awards are political and that we shouldn't worry ourselves too much about them but, if they are not justified, then why historically are the countries winning these youth awards the same ones flying the flag for Africa in major tournaments and placing players at mega clubs all over the world? All South Africa can currently hold up as our great football gifts to the world, with no disrespect, are Steven Pienaar who seems ravaged by injury (and if we are honest has done his job for South African football) and Thulani Serero (whose development at Ajax Amsterdam has been stunted at best this season). Yes, we do have Orlando Pirates in the Team of the Year category and that is to be commended. That the Orlando Pirates organisation sees the value for South African soccer being competitive on the continent is to be applauded and, while I sadly don't believe they will win the award, they are the silver lining to the dark cloud that is South African football at present. But hopefully SafA proves me wrong. They could very well point to our U17 team's qualification for a World Cup or our woman qualifying for the Olympics as positive change. Our U23s qualifying for the Olympics is undoubtedly a massive achievement and we can build from here. But 15 years ago we said the same thing. Hopefully this time we are able to really progress from these promising launch pads. I sometimes wish that the resources we have available to us now to take our potential world beaters and help them realise that potential was around when the two coaches who go head to head tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Telkom Cup were used on youngsters coming through the ranks. How is it that Steve Komphela and Pitso Mosimane were closer in quality to the world greats during their time as players than our current crop? It's a conundrum that will go unsolved (and more than likely unaddressed) for years to come, especially with our leaders of soccer in this country guaranteed big paydays for hosting future tournaments and renewing TV deals. That said, a Cup Final is a Cup Final, so to Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs best of luck for the game! It's another opportunity for South African soccer to shine and hopefully both teams grab the opportunity. I know it's easy as a columnist to say this without the pressure of having to deliver a trophy, but I sincerely hope that the spirit in which this game is played reflects the heroes, the entertainers and the showman who wore these famous jerseys and helped turn these two South African soccer megabrands into hugely loved and worshipped football teams. Both sets of supporters deserve silverware but they also deserve entertainment! They deserve magic! We all hope you give it to them… Shappa Clint
