Whither South African football?
Whither South African football?
There are a number of things that are happening in the local game that are just not good for our football.
And the first thing that's really bad for the game is that monster called a football agent/manager, or whatever they call people who make money out of the sweat and tears of others.
The malaise has even spread worldwide.
Unscrupulous people who claim to be looking after the welfare and/or interests of players are getting richer and richer while leaving a trail of enmity among the football fraternity, teams, players and supporters.
Not that the players themselves are not to blame.
Some of them do not want to play football, but are just after the money.
They sell their souls to the highest bidder.
Everyone and their brothers are joining the queue to play for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Patrice Motsepovich has the lolly!
A handsome signing-on fee from the Brazilians makes provision for a nice commission to the man in the middle.
Thank you very much!
Some players dump promising careers and first-team playing opportunities at so-called smallernyana clubs and end up being iziwengu (fanatics) on the stands, let alone warming the bench at the big ones.
Remember ex Moroka Swallows captain Peter Matshitse leaving for Kaizer Chiefs, Lucas "Makhokhoba" Sebona's move to Sundowns, Reagan Noble's move to Sundowns from Wits, Lungisani Ndlela's switch to SuperSport United and Sundowns, and Clement Mazibuko's move to Sundowns.
The list of players who quit teams where they were assured of being in the starting lineup unless injured or suspended is endless.
As you read this you are probably adding more names to the above.
At one time Orlando Pirates had a reserve goalkeeper who never played but was probably among the longest serving players there.
Remember Lucky Shiburi?
He even has a CAF Champions League winners medal. The new generation of Pirates supporters probably never heard of him.
Only Gert Schalkwyk refused to go. He was a regular at Wits and later became surplus to requirements at Amakhosi. He is now seemingly back in the team's plans.
The agents/managers have also had their fair share (pun intended) of adding to the confusion. There is also the small matter of parental control where the father has the final say on where his son should play.
Platinum Stars lost such a player recently and they could do nothing about it. We shall not mention names here. But, we can mention Manqoba Ngwenya. Besides modelling, when does he ever get to play football? Sooner or later age will be his nemesis.
Release this talented player for Mzansi to appreciate his skill, we say.
They won't and still he won't play. Watch this space!
And people like Trott Moloto, instead of being the envy of every coach, find themselves in big trouble. With all the big name signings nobody expects Sundowns to lose.
Why should they?
There is no excuse. Not with all the players at his disposal and the millions that go with that.
One just feels pity for some of those who have sacrificed guaranteed action from their previous teams for the green bucks of Chloorkop.
Call it jealousy or what you will but these are just plain undiluted facts.
There was once a player called Nicholas Anelka.
Now that was a star in any language. But he never realised his true potential for either club or country.
His greedy agent brother saw to that. He has never been back to his lethal best after endless extraordinary financial demands wherever he went. He may live comfortably for the rest of his life money-wise, but few will remember his football prowess.
Chelsea and France can vouch for me.
As for loyalty to a club, only Doctor Khumalo and Ryan Giggs can tell you the meaning of that.
Whoever thought Benedict Vilakazi could leave Pirates for Sundowns - especially sneaking out through the back door.
With players like these who needs enemies?
One is not fighting Pirates' cause.
Fortunately some club bosses are older and wiser and while they have gone an extra mile for players in distress, they can tell you how ungrateful people are.
O tla go leboga ka pleiti ya m....
And they are the ones who get flak from the supporters while the real culprits (read players) pit them against each other.
Unscrupulous agents a blight on beautiful game
Whither South African football?
Whither South African football?
There are a number of things that are happening in the local game that are just not good for our football.
And the first thing that's really bad for the game is that monster called a football agent/manager, or whatever they call people who make money out of the sweat and tears of others.
The malaise has even spread worldwide.
Unscrupulous people who claim to be looking after the welfare and/or interests of players are getting richer and richer while leaving a trail of enmity among the football fraternity, teams, players and supporters.
Not that the players themselves are not to blame.
Some of them do not want to play football, but are just after the money.
They sell their souls to the highest bidder.
Everyone and their brothers are joining the queue to play for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Patrice Motsepovich has the lolly!
A handsome signing-on fee from the Brazilians makes provision for a nice commission to the man in the middle.
Thank you very much!
Some players dump promising careers and first-team playing opportunities at so-called smallernyana clubs and end up being iziwengu (fanatics) on the stands, let alone warming the bench at the big ones.
Remember ex Moroka Swallows captain Peter Matshitse leaving for Kaizer Chiefs, Lucas "Makhokhoba" Sebona's move to Sundowns, Reagan Noble's move to Sundowns from Wits, Lungisani Ndlela's switch to SuperSport United and Sundowns, and Clement Mazibuko's move to Sundowns.
The list of players who quit teams where they were assured of being in the starting lineup unless injured or suspended is endless.
As you read this you are probably adding more names to the above.
At one time Orlando Pirates had a reserve goalkeeper who never played but was probably among the longest serving players there.
Remember Lucky Shiburi?
He even has a CAF Champions League winners medal. The new generation of Pirates supporters probably never heard of him.
Only Gert Schalkwyk refused to go. He was a regular at Wits and later became surplus to requirements at Amakhosi. He is now seemingly back in the team's plans.
The agents/managers have also had their fair share (pun intended) of adding to the confusion. There is also the small matter of parental control where the father has the final say on where his son should play.
Platinum Stars lost such a player recently and they could do nothing about it. We shall not mention names here. But, we can mention Manqoba Ngwenya. Besides modelling, when does he ever get to play football? Sooner or later age will be his nemesis.
Release this talented player for Mzansi to appreciate his skill, we say.
They won't and still he won't play. Watch this space!
And people like Trott Moloto, instead of being the envy of every coach, find themselves in big trouble. With all the big name signings nobody expects Sundowns to lose.
Why should they?
There is no excuse. Not with all the players at his disposal and the millions that go with that.
One just feels pity for some of those who have sacrificed guaranteed action from their previous teams for the green bucks of Chloorkop.
Call it jealousy or what you will but these are just plain undiluted facts.
There was once a player called Nicholas Anelka.
Now that was a star in any language. But he never realised his true potential for either club or country.
His greedy agent brother saw to that. He has never been back to his lethal best after endless extraordinary financial demands wherever he went. He may live comfortably for the rest of his life money-wise, but few will remember his football prowess.
Chelsea and France can vouch for me.
As for loyalty to a club, only Doctor Khumalo and Ryan Giggs can tell you the meaning of that.
Whoever thought Benedict Vilakazi could leave Pirates for Sundowns - especially sneaking out through the back door.
With players like these who needs enemies?
One is not fighting Pirates' cause.
Fortunately some club bosses are older and wiser and while they have gone an extra mile for players in distress, they can tell you how ungrateful people are.
O tla go leboga ka pleiti ya m....
And they are the ones who get flak from the supporters while the real culprits (read players) pit them against each other.
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