Good reason to cheer Boa Morte's arrival
LUIS Boa Morte is in town!
Player Luis Boa Morte photographed during a press conference in Houghton, Johannesburg. PHOTO: VELI NHLAPO/SOWETAN.I hope this is a trend of signing overseas players and I hope they (the overseas players) see South Africa as a destination because for so long Europe has been their destination
The arrival of the former Portuguese international in the PSL has further confirmed the growth of the PSL as an international brand.
This is good for the beautiful game locally.
The league's and Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, with whose side Boa Morte penned an 18-month contract, has described the winger's arrival as confirmation that "we are taking our league a step higher".
"I hope this is a trend of signing overseas players and I hope they (the overseas players) see South Africa as a destination because for so long Europe has been their destination," said Khoza during the unveiling of Boa Morte on Tuesday.
I concur with the Iron Duke.
The PSL is growing in leaps and bounds. Like other emerging leagues in the world, the PSL wants to raise its profile and the quickest means of doing so is by signing big-name players from abroad.
While they can't obviously compete with the rich clubs in Europe, they will opt for players who are reaching retirement.
A classic example of this is the MLS in the United States. LA Galaxy signed David Beckham and the arrival of the former England international indeed raised the status of the MLS.
It's the same with the New York Red Bulls who lured the equally famous Thierry Henry.
Now the PSL has climbed on the bandwagon, bringing back Benni McCarthy.
Kaizer Chiefs recruited Bernard Parker, SuperSport United have Bryce Moon, Sibusiso Zuma and Nasief Morris, while Moroka Swallows have MacBeth Sibaya.
These are players who endeared themselves to football lovers abroad.
And the trend of recruiting more players with European football flavour by our clubs looks set to continue unabated.
Bringing international players here will surely help the PSL because there will be big money to be made in selling their product (TV rights) to an international audience.
But signing overseas stars will not come without a problem.
Think about local players.
Will they earn enough, like the imported stars?
Obviously, they will not get any closer to what their overseas teammates are earning.
It's a problem where you find one player earning more than R400,000 a month while his teammate takes home a paltry R20,000.
Elias Pelembe, though this was vehemently denied by his agent and club Sundowns, is said to be earning R480,000 a month.
What a decent salary, if this is true.
This could probably be what Jomo Sono spends on all his players in a month.
I think, as Khoza has noted, the time is opportune for the PSL to force clubs to disclose salaries and signing-on fees of the players.
Players should know how much their teammates earn.
Having said that I fully support PSL clubs in their efforts to sign players with European football experience, they should not sign them just for the sake of it.
They should rope in players worth their salt who will add value to South African football.
We don't need palookas here who are coming to the PSL to retire.
The PSL should not be a retirement village.
By the way, welcome to the PSL, Boa Morte. The Ghost can't wait to see you donning the famous black and white jersey of the Buccaneers.
Bra_A
@ Mcelwa NchabelengThis could probably be what Jomo Sono spends on all his players in a month
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In other words you are saying JC players earn an average of R20k per month. before tax
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Tasto
Hope his arrival will have an impact to the rest of the league especially to our young local players unlike going over Limpompo river to import !!Report Abuse
HoiMash69
Nuff said MCELWA. I could not agree more. These players will add value to the PSL, this is the beginning that will then pave the way for younger international players who would have seen the Standard of the PSL. By signing Boa, this means that the PSL will be under the watchful eye of the Portuguese and International media which is challenging and rewarding if we do what we do best and continue with the professional; running of the PSL.Report Abuse
Shredder
I don't trust this Boa Morte guy. Mokeke from Ajax, o tlo maka a ntsha leleme.Report Abuse
nevus
mxcm Chiefs will be bringing Quinton Fortune back to mzansi soze ni phale amakhosi.Report Abuse
SKIZOBANTWANA
Elias Pelembe, though this was vehemently denied by his agent and club Sundowns, is said to be earning R480,000 a month.What a decent salary, if this is true.
This could probably be what Jomo Sono spends on all his players in a month.
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Its true indeed, my friend Teboho Mokoena use to play for Mjomana and he said the same thing.
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Into_Enje!
LUIS Boa Morte is in town!- Another gogo is in town, lend me a walking stick please.Report Abuse
MORNACHIES
This season we will weep the zebras until ran and past kruger national park .Report Abuse
Tasto
@Into_Enje!LUIS Boa Morte is in town!- Another gogo is in town, lend me a walking stick please
U remind me if that famous ManU goalkeeper who coould not dive to prevent Lawrence Maake scoring that BobSave winning gaol because he had screws in the knees !!
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