It is a fallacy to think that bringing big European soccer clubs here will raise the standard of the local game, or of any team's game.
It is a fallacy to think that bringing big European soccer clubs here will raise the standard of the local game, or of any team's game.
It is more like taking a short cut to greatness by association and we all know it does not work.
What raises the standard of the local game, however, is our teams participating competitively and consistently in the continental competitions. So far only Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have won continental championships.
To be honest, South African teams have been a flop continentally while the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United have been making good impressions on the European Champions League consistently for a while now.
If a team seeks greatness it has to start by conquering at home and then in its continent. Whereas Mamelodi Sundowns have done well in the local league recently, they have been hopeless chokers in Africa except for the odd time they played in the final of the African Champions League. Thus they would only be on course for greatness if they won the African Champions League at least twice. The same applies to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The friendly matches against successful European clubs are seen as nothing more than marketing exercises, and wasteful expenditure in some instances, by discerning football fans who, if they want to see Barcelona, AC Milan or Real Madrid playing serious football, watch them on DStv.
Joseph Moyo, Mmabatho
Conquer Africa first
It is a fallacy to think that bringing big European soccer clubs here will raise the standard of the local game, or of any team's game.
It is a fallacy to think that bringing big European soccer clubs here will raise the standard of the local game, or of any team's game.
It is more like taking a short cut to greatness by association and we all know it does not work.
What raises the standard of the local game, however, is our teams participating competitively and consistently in the continental competitions. So far only Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have won continental championships.
To be honest, South African teams have been a flop continentally while the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United have been making good impressions on the European Champions League consistently for a while now.
If a team seeks greatness it has to start by conquering at home and then in its continent. Whereas Mamelodi Sundowns have done well in the local league recently, they have been hopeless chokers in Africa except for the odd time they played in the final of the African Champions League. Thus they would only be on course for greatness if they won the African Champions League at least twice. The same applies to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The friendly matches against successful European clubs are seen as nothing more than marketing exercises, and wasteful expenditure in some instances, by discerning football fans who, if they want to see Barcelona, AC Milan or Real Madrid playing serious football, watch them on DStv.
Joseph Moyo, Mmabatho