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Nielsen wowed by SA soccer

IMPRESSED: Kent Nielsen Pic. Elijar Mushiana. 24/01/2010. © Sowetan. 24 JANUARY 2010 SUNDAY: Brondby IF's head coach Kent Nielsen was impressed by the high standard of football in the country after his side's 2-0 defeat by Absa Premiership champions SupeSports United during the Peter Mokaba Cup. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA ------ fc
IMPRESSED: Kent Nielsen Pic. Elijar Mushiana. 24/01/2010. © Sowetan. 24 JANUARY 2010 SUNDAY: Brondby IF's head coach Kent Nielsen was impressed by the high standard of football in the country after his side's 2-0 defeat by Absa Premiership champions SupeSports United during the Peter Mokaba Cup. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA ------ fc

BRONDBY FC coach Kent Nielsen is impressed with the high standard of football in South Africa after his side's 2-0 defeat by Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United in the first semifinal of the Peter Mokaba Cup on Saturday.

BRONDBY FC coach Kent Nielsen is impressed with the high standard of football in South Africa after his side's 2-0 defeat by Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United in the first semifinal of the Peter Mokaba Cup on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs beat United 4-2 in the final of the tournament used to open Peter Mokaba Stadium after accounting for Bidvest Wits in the second semifinal.

Nielsen said local players were skilful and had a high work rate.

"It was interesting to see how Wits played. They are regarded as one of the small clubs in your league, but those guys played fantastic football against Kaizer Chiefs," he said.

"Chiefs' goalkeeper (Arthur Bartman) is also talented. There were a lot of players from SuperSport (United) who also impressed me. Your players apply slow build-ups and increase the tempo when attacking. It is a different approach compared with us in Denmark."

But would he sign any of the South African players who impressed him?

"It is too early to say if we can sign any player, considering that in Denmark we are average in terms of players' salaries," Nielsen said. "We are more (geared) to development, hence most of our top and quality players ply their trade outside the country."

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