SOUTH African football players are now being forced to retire at the age of 22 years.

That is according to local legend and Black Prince of soccer, Jomo Sono.

And he has received support from former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Lovers Mohlala, who also believes that the ruling has the potential to stifle the development of the South African game.

Sono spoke during an interview with Sowetan Soccer magazine (now on sale) regarding his team's failure to make a quick return to the Premier Soccer League following their relegation in the 2011-12 season.

The Jomo Cosmos chairman and head coach says: "We didn't have a good season. We thought we were ready, only to find out the hard way that we were not. We had to get rid of a number of seasoned players because of the National First Division rule which requires teams to start at all times with five players who are under the age of 23 years."

Last season teams had to sign players born in or after 1990. When the NFD kicks off next month the date will change to in or after 1991.

This, Sono believes, means NFD clubs regularly have to replace unwanted players who were simply signed to meet the under-23 quota.

"We are, in a way, forcing some players to retire at the age of 22 years," Sono points out.

His argument is supported by Mohlala who adds that the rule discriminates against players and makes teams sign players that are younger than 23 years even if they are not good enough.

Both legends believe the rule is counter-productive and point out it should be the South African Football Association, the Premiership clubs and the reserve league that should be developing players.

"Development needs money," says Mohlala. "Where do teams in the NFD and the second division [formerly Vodacom league] get money from? Their respective leagues do not even have sponsorship.

"The rule reduces talent. A great number of players that played in the 1990s made their professional debuts at the age of 25 years and they still played in the national team. We never had the under-23 rule but we had a lot of players that were under 23 playing in the Premiership."

Municipalities also came under fire from Mohlala for hiring people who knew "nothing about sport".

"Instead of spending R200000 to R300000 on a group of former professional soccer players to come play a friendly game, they should organise proper coaching clinics for children in those areas."

While Mohlala has threatened to organise a footballers march to the offices of Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula on the matter, Sono believes the U-23 rule is against the country's labour laws and that players may take the issue up with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration as an unfair labour practice.

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NFD's age clause 'no problem'

WHILE the debate rages on whether the rule that all teams in the National First Division should start matches with five players under the age of 23, some clubs say they have no problems with it.

Long-time first division campaigner, Witbank Spurs' chairman Themba Mafu, said for him the rule has created hope for all young players, now that they know the opportunities of making the big time are available.

"If you look around the provinces it seems everybody has an academy but none of their players are getting the opportunities leading to the bigger leagues," he said.

"It was, of course, difficult in the first year but we signed 19-year-olds who we believe will be up there among the best in three years' time."

He added: "Look, the flip side is that we could have signed and fielded strong foreigners in those positions, but I think the rule is good for the local lads who now can dream big. As it is, we at Spurs have two youngsters at left- and right-back who could make it at the top level. There are actually teams in the elite league who are monitoring them as we speak."

David Thidiela, chairman of recently relegated Black Leopards, is also not one having nightmares despite his National First Division side being required to field five under-23 players in their starting line-up.

Leopards will be campaigning in the NFD next season after they were automatically relegated from the Absa Premiership after finishing at the bottom of the log.

"I know about the law where all the clubs are expected to abide by fielding five under-23 players in the starting line-up in all the official games," said Thidiela.

"For me it is not an issue at all because we are already covered in that area. There will be more than enough players for us to sign in the new season.

"We have a team known as Phungo All Stars campaigning in the Safa Second Division League in Limpopo, which is named after my father. That is where our youngsters are being groomed and developed so this is their chance and they have to grab it with both hands."