Yesteryear’s stars can teach kids soccer

LISTENING to a programme on Radio 786 about sport and the legends of soccer and hearing some of the legends of yesteryear made me wonder where they are.

Do they still contribute to the sport? Can schools invite them for coaching clinics?

Most pupils of today don’t know these guys – Rodney Reiners, Farouk Abrahams etc. I still remember soccer’s Federation Professional League, where these legends were strutting their talent.

In those days soccer was played at the so-called “Coloured Wembley” – Athlone Stadium. Today there is loads of talent in the townships, but no direction for the players.

We as educators might not have all the “knowhow” about soccer, but our passion is unbelievable. With the help of these legends, schools could unearth the next Benni McCarthy or Steven Pienaar... because this is where it must start.

The legends can play a big part in development of these talents. Technically, I believe our players are very weak, and that’s why they are not in demand overseas.

The McCarthys and Pienaars are just two of our stars who made it to the top leagues of the world.

Maybe, with the help of these soccer legends, there will be improvements in the way we play our soccer. To have passion is not enough, but with talent and passion the world can be your oyster.

The fight between SA Schools Football Association and the SA Football Association must also come to an end so that a proper schools league can be created.

Our pupils – talents – just want to play soccer. Sport politics must stop their rubbish.