We caught up with Bafana Bafana legend Shaun Bartlett, the second top goal-scorer of all time in South Africa. He was a prolific player who played for a whole host of clubs including Kaizer Chiefs and Charlton Athletic. Today, he answers your questions!
Sia Meleni: Do you think that if local teams take the African Champions League more seriously it will have an effect on the performance of Bafana Bafana?
SB: Any experience you gain, whether it be from continental or European, will benefit the national teams. Only problem is that it has become a very costly adventure for South African clubs
Briney: What is lacking in our nation-wide striking force nowadays that was present in yours?
SB: I personally feel it has to start with the individual desire and attitude towards scoring. Movement, technical skills and other attributes can be worked on. Developing the art of scoring takes longer than a season. After training work also helps tremendously to improve any player.
115058585: If you were to pick one team to coach, which would it be and who would be your first signing? (Locally)
SB: Unfortunately this is a question that I won't be able to answer because that will put me in a bad light (as a coach) and also make coaches feel that I want their jobs. A good goalkeeper always wins you a lot of games and Moeneeb Josephs for me has been the most consistent the past decade.
Madibanda Levy: Who is your current footballer of the season so far? (Locally)
SB: Always have to look at what contribution players bring to their team besides scoring or saving a goal. At the moment I think Collins Mbesuma has had an outstanding season thus far and are well on his way to claim the top score and possibly the footballer of the season award.
KWV15yrz: Who discovered you from your area? Are there enough scouts/talent to be nourished in the Cape Flats area? How much talent is lost on gangsterism and other such things?
SB: I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family where all my uncles played the game and that's how I started to get involved too. I initially went for trials to Cape Town Spurs out of my own and things happened from there. Gangsterism and alcohol has unfortunately claimed some of the best talent in the Western Cape that never got to show what they were really made of.
Sbulabops01: What is your opinion of Steve Komphela as current Kaizer Chiefs coach?
SB: He is a coach that has proven himself for a number of years now and truly deserves the role he has now at Kaizer Chiefs. When it comes to attention to detail he does not leave anything out. Transition from playing to coaching is never easy but with the right guidance and preparation you can have success. Always about timing in any sport.
Sir_x_wekosi01: What was your best moment as a player?
SB: Most players don't get to play in a World Cup. But for me that has to be the pinnacle of any footballer's career when gets to represent his country on the world stage in the biggest tournament ever. I was lucky enough to play in France 1998 and score two goals vs Saudi Arabia.
tpmokuppo@gmail.com: What accounts for the difference in the national team's performance from 1996 till now?
SB: In my opinion I believe we became a victim of our early success and thought that the team of 1996 was going to play for years to come. There was a good crop of players coming through from the Olympics in 2000 (likes of Benni, Booth, McCarthy co) but the major problem of changing coaches every now and then was disturbing our growth and progress as a national team.
NK: What was your funniest moment as a player?
SB: I think playing in the Simba Four Nations tournament in 1995 was a great moment and game for me as I scored my first goal for Bafana Bafana vs Egypt. But I somehow managed to get my shorts ripped and had to change it on the field. The officials were not happy with me as they described it as public indecency.
What do you make of this interview?
