THE lack of development of quality players in the country has seen South Africa plunging to 85th place in the Fifa world rankings and this sorry state of affairs has prompted former professional football players to act.

THE lack of development of quality players in the country has seen South Africa plunging to 85th place in the Fifa world rankings and this sorry state of affairs has prompted former professional football players to act.

Tebogo Moloi, Linda Buthelezi, Eric Tinkler, Roger De Sa and Shaun Bartlett have come together in a project called "Nike Boot camp" where they will hold coaching clinics in the hope of unearthing future stars.

Moloi, who used to play for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana, said the camp would not be only about football, but also life skills.

"We as former footballers will help enhance the players' football skills but there will also be physicians, dieticians and psychologists to help them out with what to eat as athletes and also life skills.

"As a qualified coach I was willing to take part when this project came up. We want to help these youngsters know what to do during their spare time because in most cases they wait for the coach to come and tell them what to do."

Moloi also voiced his displeasure at the state of football in the country.

"We have resources and money put aside for development and yet it's not being utilised. People cannot expect me to use my own money for development when there is money specifically for that.

"A country like Ivory Coast produces talented players with half the resources we have and I don't understand why we cannot produce quality players.

"In other African states, football is played everywhere, like it was during our time.

"They realise that it could be their ticket out of poverty and that is what we must do: get our children playing football."