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
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
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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