I did not watch the recent game against the USA. It's just as well, I would not have slept well that evening after the poor result. I keep telling myself that it's just a friendly game and the score doesn't matter for now. But I don't buy it, I believe this result is a disaster for South African soccer.
Firstly, why does this friendly result matter? It matters because this game was setup for Bafana to win, and win handsomely. And if you wondering what I mean by this, you just needed to look at the American team sheet. This was a quickly assembled team, which included only three players who were part of the USA squad for the World Cup. And to drive this fact home, these three players were on the bench against England, their most important game some would say. Pitso Mosimane on the other hand played an experienced Bafana team, with new striker Davide Somma on debut. And we lost.
The repercussions of this loss are that it makes SAFA's job that much harder in attracting quality opposition to play Bafana. We saw this happen before the World Cup and this trend is likely to continue because South Africa will not give foreign coaches a good enough test for their teams.
And finally the bit that really gets to me is the level of play our players are continuously dishing out. It's just not good enough. Now remember I never watched the game, but I did get to see some highlights, including the goal. There is one aspect of their lack of play I wish to highlight, and that's their inability or unwillingness to track the attacking player from deep (just outside the penalty area). Benedict Vilakazi made his living off such lapses for Orlando Pirates. And it how seventeen year old, Juan Agudelo punished Bafana. Carlos Alberto Parreira constantly preached organisational discipline and Pitso Mosimane needs to do the same.
But if it's one thing Bafana is good at its taking one step forward and two steps back. This dance has got to stop.
Watch the highlights and see what I mean.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5818312&categoryid=2731137
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Thursday 4 November 2010
Claasen off the mark
Last week Daylon Claasen, scored his first professional goal for his Belgian club, Lierse FC. With the goal Lierse FC earned a 2-2 draw against fellow strugglers AS Eupen.
For Claasen the goal represents a successful rebirth in his career. Having joined Ajax Amsterdam from Ajax Cape Town the then eighteen year remained in the Amsterdam giants reserve team. Frustrated with the lack of opportunity the youngster to a gamble and left for the newly promoted Lierse FC.
The gamble has paid off in spades, with Claasen becoming a first team regular in the midfield. The youngsters’ development has also been boosted by the arrival of fellow Bafana Bafana players Siboniso Gaxa and Lance Davids at the club. In fact all three players have become regulars for Belgians.
As if auspiciously, the Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane was there in the stands witnessing his players produce a performance to make their country proud. Siboniso Gaxa received the ball while running to the opponents’ by-line and then cleverly cut back his pass to find Claasen in the penalty area. The youngster made no mistake with a neat pass to the bottom right hand corner, beating the opposition goalkeeper. Arms raised, Daylon Claasen is off the mark.
For Claasen the goal represents a successful rebirth in his career. Having joined Ajax Amsterdam from Ajax Cape Town the then eighteen year remained in the Amsterdam giants reserve team. Frustrated with the lack of opportunity the youngster to a gamble and left for the newly promoted Lierse FC.
The gamble has paid off in spades, with Claasen becoming a first team regular in the midfield. The youngsters’ development has also been boosted by the arrival of fellow Bafana Bafana players Siboniso Gaxa and Lance Davids at the club. In fact all three players have become regulars for Belgians.
As if auspiciously, the Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane was there in the stands witnessing his players produce a performance to make their country proud. Siboniso Gaxa received the ball while running to the opponents’ by-line and then cleverly cut back his pass to find Claasen in the penalty area. The youngster made no mistake with a neat pass to the bottom right hand corner, beating the opposition goalkeeper. Arms raised, Daylon Claasen is off the mark.
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Time to move on Parker
When Bernard Parker moved to FC Twente at the beginning of last season, he must have thanked his lucky stars. Playing in Holland for Steve McClaren (former England Manager) is every young South African footballers dream.
But things haven't really turned out as he would have hoped. Disputes with his previous employer and preseason injuries lead to him starting last season on the bench. And unfortunately for Parker (but not for the club), he remained on the bench as the first team went on to win their Eredivisie league. His playing time was reduced to second half substitute roles.
This season Parker is lucky to even get a substitution role at the club. Even with Steve McClaren and the exciting Miroslav Stoch leaving the club, he has found little game time. The substitution role has disapeared with new coach, Michel Preud'homme prefering youngster Luuk de Jong instead.
Parker and his management team will have to have a long discussion on his future if this situation continues. Sitting on the bench this long isn't good for his club and international career. And watching from the bench last week, as young Mokotjo Kamohelo played the full 90 minutes for Feyenoord against Twente must have hurt even more. As he hasn't managed to do the same.
But things haven't really turned out as he would have hoped. Disputes with his previous employer and preseason injuries lead to him starting last season on the bench. And unfortunately for Parker (but not for the club), he remained on the bench as the first team went on to win their Eredivisie league. His playing time was reduced to second half substitute roles.
This season Parker is lucky to even get a substitution role at the club. Even with Steve McClaren and the exciting Miroslav Stoch leaving the club, he has found little game time. The substitution role has disapeared with new coach, Michel Preud'homme prefering youngster Luuk de Jong instead.
Parker and his management team will have to have a long discussion on his future if this situation continues. Sitting on the bench this long isn't good for his club and international career. And watching from the bench last week, as young Mokotjo Kamohelo played the full 90 minutes for Feyenoord against Twente must have hurt even more. As he hasn't managed to do the same.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Eating humble pie with egg on their faces!
We have done it. Like we said we would. But the international media and even some locals are in complete shock at what we have accomplished. I'm talking about our successful hosting of the 2010 Football World Cup of cause.
For over three years, the overseas media, especially here in the UK and Germany, have been reporting doom and gloom stories about South Africa's chances of hosting this competition. Some of the articles were of such a nature, if felt like a lampoon of the true facts. Plan B, snake bite dangers, rampant muggings, shooting and general war like themes were the order the day.
The utter hypocrisy of some of the foreign, and must be said, local journalists really surprised me. Sporting wise we are very close to UK, Australia and New Zealand with annual events like rugby and cricket competitions being played between the nations. Their respective journalists have been to South Africa on numerous occasions. Not once have they reported on their belief that South Africa can achieve success hosting this event. In fact these journalist have been the loudest detractors. The Germans probably the loudest. The sad part, is that some South Africans believed them.
Now everybody cannot stop congratulating us on our success. Like it's a complete shock, or even a fluke that everything went well. Now the attention will move to Brazil, and already the same voices are crying with disdain. But before you leave our South Africa consciousness, take 2 eggs, and a piece of pie.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger living in London.
For over three years, the overseas media, especially here in the UK and Germany, have been reporting doom and gloom stories about South Africa's chances of hosting this competition. Some of the articles were of such a nature, if felt like a lampoon of the true facts. Plan B, snake bite dangers, rampant muggings, shooting and general war like themes were the order the day.
The utter hypocrisy of some of the foreign, and must be said, local journalists really surprised me. Sporting wise we are very close to UK, Australia and New Zealand with annual events like rugby and cricket competitions being played between the nations. Their respective journalists have been to South Africa on numerous occasions. Not once have they reported on their belief that South Africa can achieve success hosting this event. In fact these journalist have been the loudest detractors. The Germans probably the loudest. The sad part, is that some South Africans believed them.
Now everybody cannot stop congratulating us on our success. Like it's a complete shock, or even a fluke that everything went well. Now the attention will move to Brazil, and already the same voices are crying with disdain. But before you leave our South Africa consciousness, take 2 eggs, and a piece of pie.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger living in London.
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Dikagoi's one-touch game
Kagisho Dikgacoi move to Fulham is slowly having a positive influence on his game. Opportunities to play for the first team have been limited to substitute appearances, but today against Tottenham Hot Spurs, Dikagoi managed to complete the full 90 minutes for the west London club.
And judging from his performance today, his Fulham manager, Roy Hodgeson will be impressed. It wasn't a happy result against their richer neighbours, as Fulham lost 2-0 to Spurs, their fourth loss in a row. But what was impressive tonight, is Dikgacoi's one-touch game and the ability to keep possession under pressure. His passing was 98% successful. Dikgacoi is not your typical South African player, his dribbling ability is non existent, but what he lacks in the flashy stuff, he more than makes up in his work rate and discipline.
Kagisho decision to move to England, so soon before the World Cup was probably a concern for the Bafana Technical team, as the ability to adjust takes times for certain players.But impressive performances like tonight, will put a smile on Parreira face. The one-touch,possession game Parreira wants Bafana to play is being produced by Kagisho Dikgacoi at the highest level.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger, living in London
And judging from his performance today, his Fulham manager, Roy Hodgeson will be impressed. It wasn't a happy result against their richer neighbours, as Fulham lost 2-0 to Spurs, their fourth loss in a row. But what was impressive tonight, is Dikgacoi's one-touch game and the ability to keep possession under pressure. His passing was 98% successful. Dikgacoi is not your typical South African player, his dribbling ability is non existent, but what he lacks in the flashy stuff, he more than makes up in his work rate and discipline.
Kagisho decision to move to England, so soon before the World Cup was probably a concern for the Bafana Technical team, as the ability to adjust takes times for certain players.But impressive performances like tonight, will put a smile on Parreira face. The one-touch,possession game Parreira wants Bafana to play is being produced by Kagisho Dikgacoi at the highest level.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger, living in London
Fat Benni, not the same player I remember
Benni McCarthy has always been an divisive figure in South African football. He could always make you scream for joy when his on the field and then pull your hair out, when his off it. Blessed with the ability to score goals, Benni bust onto the scene in the 1998 African Nations Cup by scoring 7 goals and taking Bafana Bafana to the finals of the competition. He was a national hero, and a footballer South Africans could always follow with pride when he played in European competitions.
But while a hero on the field of play, Benni slowly turned into the anti-Christ off it. Years of conflict with SAFA, national coaches and the local press have damaged his reputation with fans. But when the goals were scored, some fans would run back to praise him.
These days, you cannot recognise him, as that goal scoring machine we all loved. His put on at least 10kg and has no pace to talk of. Just last week, against Aston Villa, he came on as a second half substitute, and received a beautiful pass to put him clear on goal. The old Benni, would have ran clear, rounded the goalkeeper, and kept Blackburn Rovers in the Cup Competition. This Benni, simply kicked the ball away as the opposing defender caught up to him. Today's Benni, takes corner kicks, instead of being in the danger area to score goals. Some people would say, the weight gain and lack of pace is all a part of getting old, but the truth is, he hasn't applied himself. He has had constant run ins with Blackburn Rovers managers Paul Ince (previous) and lately Sam Allardyce about his lack of fitness. McCarthy even complained that Allardyce picks on him, because he gives him extra fitness work outs than his teammates.And has thus refused to do the extra training.
Alas it looks like Benni McCarthy will be moving to a new club this transfer season. I wonder what his new manager will think of his fitness level. But one thing is certain, this is not the player I remember.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger, living in London
But while a hero on the field of play, Benni slowly turned into the anti-Christ off it. Years of conflict with SAFA, national coaches and the local press have damaged his reputation with fans. But when the goals were scored, some fans would run back to praise him.
These days, you cannot recognise him, as that goal scoring machine we all loved. His put on at least 10kg and has no pace to talk of. Just last week, against Aston Villa, he came on as a second half substitute, and received a beautiful pass to put him clear on goal. The old Benni, would have ran clear, rounded the goalkeeper, and kept Blackburn Rovers in the Cup Competition. This Benni, simply kicked the ball away as the opposing defender caught up to him. Today's Benni, takes corner kicks, instead of being in the danger area to score goals. Some people would say, the weight gain and lack of pace is all a part of getting old, but the truth is, he hasn't applied himself. He has had constant run ins with Blackburn Rovers managers Paul Ince (previous) and lately Sam Allardyce about his lack of fitness. McCarthy even complained that Allardyce picks on him, because he gives him extra fitness work outs than his teammates.And has thus refused to do the extra training.
Alas it looks like Benni McCarthy will be moving to a new club this transfer season. I wonder what his new manager will think of his fitness level. But one thing is certain, this is not the player I remember.
Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger, living in London
Wednesday 20 January 2010
South African football...eyes on the ball
Since my last post, a lot has happened and changed on the football landscape. Katlego Mphela has kept scoring while Teko Modise has lept disappointing. Golden Arrows have fulfilled their potential by crushing Ajax Cape Town 6-0, to lift the MTN8 title. Congratulation to the Golden Arrows team and their coach Manqoba Mngqithi. SuperSport has continued to dominate the League leader board, as Jomo Cosmos helplessly drown to the bottom.
On the SAFA front, The Iron Duke has been conquered by Danny Jordan's team in the race to be Chairman of SAFA. Kirsten Nematandani is the new President. We wish him every success to transform this sleeping, corrupted gaint of an organsiation. The U20 football team, Amjita made history by advancing to the second round of the U20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt. This squad of players could possibily be South Africa's "Goldern Generation". Watch this Space.
An finally, Carlos Alberto Parreira has taken over the reins of Bafana coach from Santana. He has called up his 29 local players for a training camp in Durban. There has been much debate on the selections as usual, but I think he got it right. Every success to them. We are watching....
On the SAFA front, The Iron Duke has been conquered by Danny Jordan's team in the race to be Chairman of SAFA. Kirsten Nematandani is the new President. We wish him every success to transform this sleeping, corrupted gaint of an organsiation. The U20 football team, Amjita made history by advancing to the second round of the U20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt. This squad of players could possibily be South Africa's "Goldern Generation". Watch this Space.
An finally, Carlos Alberto Parreira has taken over the reins of Bafana coach from Santana. He has called up his 29 local players for a training camp in Durban. There has been much debate on the selections as usual, but I think he got it right. Every success to them. We are watching....
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