Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Anele Ngcongca, potentially class

"South African players are skillful". How often have you heard this quote from visiting European coaches or players. As if they are being polite on the standards of our players ability. In fact, when you look at the South Africa player landscape the skillful tag is true. Our players are skillful but they lack everything else that would described them as "class". The term class is left for the players that are at the very top of the game. Fans don't describe Essien, Drogba or Kaka as skillful, they are class.

When looking at the PSL, ninety nine percent of the players are skillful. The one percent left are within the U20 squad who performed well in Egypt. In the Bafana squad, Pienaar and Benni stand alone. Parker and Masilela are developing their potential to be in this class. Anele Ngcongca has this potential as well.

The more I watch him playing for Racing Genk, the more I'm impressed. Anele is the player Bafana needs, a utility player with class. Recommended to Racing Genk by Arsene Wenger, Anele Ngcongca is able to play central defence, left-wing and defensive midfield with the confidence of Michael Essien. The potential to be class is there, Bafana needs to recognise it.