PROFESSIONAL soccer player-turned coach, Ntsie "Teargas" Maphike has attributed the failure of South African teams in the Gauteng Under-17 Future International Cup to poor development structures.
PROFESSIONAL soccer player-turned coach, Ntsie "Teargas" Maphike has attributed the failure of South African teams in the Gauteng Under-17 Future International Cup to poor development structures.
"Development structures are in a shambles, we have to go back to basics to revive football at junior development level to be on par with the rest of the world," Maphike said.
He was speaking from the sidelines of China's Shandong Luneng's 5-4 win on penalties over Paris Saint-Germain of France at Rand Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa was represented in this yearly tournament by Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United-Tottenham Hotspur, Safa Jozi and Safa Tshwane teams.
"This is not an excuse, but {SA teams} had 10 days to prepare for the tournament while the other teams are at their peak because of the difference in the seasons for junior teams.
"South African players are gifted on technique, which is why many people believe we can match the best in the world.
"The problem is that we need to focus on positional and functional discipline, it's a big challenge.
"The first thing we need to do is to put in place solid development structures.
"All role players in football must come together to develop a strategy for the country. There is no room for short cuts in football.
"We need to work hard as development coaches to develop palyers so that clubs do not have to pay a lot of money buying players, then that money can go into development programmes for the clubs.
"The problem we have is that clubs tend to depend more on ready-made material, that's the unfortunate part of our football and the sooner that changes, the better for our sport."
Brazil's Botafogo won a bronze medal after beating last year's runners-up Esperance of Tunisia 4-2 on penalties in an earlier match.
Chiefs, guided by Doctor Khumalo, suffered their third consecutive defeat in the tournament, going down 1-0 to Irish visitors, Team Dublin.
Tournament director Phil "Chippa" Mogodi said: "The tournament was a success. Thank you to all those who supported us."
Poor development exposes SA soccer
PROFESSIONAL soccer player-turned coach, Ntsie "Teargas" Maphike has attributed the failure of South African teams in the Gauteng Under-17 Future International Cup to poor development structures.
PROFESSIONAL soccer player-turned coach, Ntsie "Teargas" Maphike has attributed the failure of South African teams in the Gauteng Under-17 Future International Cup to poor development structures.
"Development structures are in a shambles, we have to go back to basics to revive football at junior development level to be on par with the rest of the world," Maphike said.
He was speaking from the sidelines of China's Shandong Luneng's 5-4 win on penalties over Paris Saint-Germain of France at Rand Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa was represented in this yearly tournament by Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United-Tottenham Hotspur, Safa Jozi and Safa Tshwane teams.
"This is not an excuse, but {SA teams} had 10 days to prepare for the tournament while the other teams are at their peak because of the difference in the seasons for junior teams.
"South African players are gifted on technique, which is why many people believe we can match the best in the world.
"The problem is that we need to focus on positional and functional discipline, it's a big challenge.
"The first thing we need to do is to put in place solid development structures.
"All role players in football must come together to develop a strategy for the country. There is no room for short cuts in football.
"We need to work hard as development coaches to develop palyers so that clubs do not have to pay a lot of money buying players, then that money can go into development programmes for the clubs.
"The problem we have is that clubs tend to depend more on ready-made material, that's the unfortunate part of our football and the sooner that changes, the better for our sport."
Brazil's Botafogo won a bronze medal after beating last year's runners-up Esperance of Tunisia 4-2 on penalties in an earlier match.
Chiefs, guided by Doctor Khumalo, suffered their third consecutive defeat in the tournament, going down 1-0 to Irish visitors, Team Dublin.
Tournament director Phil "Chippa" Mogodi said: "The tournament was a success. Thank you to all those who supported us."
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