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Why Are We Not Producing More White Footballers?

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Michael Morton of Cape Town Spurs during the DStv Premiership match between Sekhukhune United and Cape Town Spurs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 20 April 2024 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Michael Morton of Cape Town Spurs during the DStv Premiership match between Sekhukhune United and Cape Town Spurs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 20 April 2024 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images

Cape Town Spurs midfielder, Michael Morton weighed in on the debate about why there aren't a lot of white players in SA football's professional ranks.

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What's the story?

One the few white South African players in the DStv Premiership, Michael Morton, shared his views on the ever-growing topic of white talent being represented in the SA football's professional scene.

Morton responded to a debate about the topic on Metro FM's Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, mentioning that white dominated high schools don't take football as seriously.

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Let's take a closer look at what Morton had to say...

Michael Morton on white SA footballers

Veteran Cape Town Spurs midfielder, Michael Morton, weighed in on why more white South African footballers aren't coming through the ranks and making it as professionals.

Morton has enjoyed a journeyman-like career since coming through at Orlando Pirates, as he's played for the likes of; Maritzburg United, SuperSport United, AmaZulu, Cape Umoya United and All Stars.

"Why are we not producing more white footballers in South Africa? I don't think the issue is when the guys get to 17/18-years-old, because with those players, once they reach that point, they are already going to the next level. I think [the issue] is more so with ages 13/14 when they make the jump to High School.

"Old, traditional, former model-c white schools don't take very football seriously and I think we lose a lot of talented footballers in that space — where they have to choose between cricket, rugby, and a whole bunch of other sports and football is not really taken that seriously," says Morton, who feels that even community football clubs aren't enough to ensure white players stay involved in the game outside of school.

"I think community-run clubs are also struggling financially and the level is not that great. I think we are losing a lot of talented footballers in a pivotal period. That's my personal experience and I have played with a lot of talented guys that when they made that jump to high school, they didn't carry on playing football," added Morton.

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In the comment section of his post on IG, Morton added: "Can you imagine if our model C schools place as much emphasis on football as they did cricket and rugby the kind of conveyor belt we would have in terms of producing professional footballers.

"The way I see it, is that there is no clear path for youngsters to become professional footballers aside from being scouted really young into one of the better academies." 

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