SA football still lagging
A HUMBLING weekend for Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League served to remind us that SA football is still lagging far behind the required standards.
We may pride ourselves with having set several milestones: such as becoming the first African nation to host a World Cup, the availability of vast, world-class facilities and a lucrative domestic league.
But defeats such as those suffered by Chiefs at Morocco ’ s Raja Casablanca (2-0) and Sundowns against DR Congo ’ s TP Mazembe (3-1), both on Sunday, should remind us that we have some way to go to be serious competitors on the continental front.
Not so long ago, Bafana Bafana were struggling to qualify for tournaments. It would have benefited our national team in the long run if two of our best teams had managed to progress further in the Champions League.
We applaud Chiefs and Sundowns for giving it their all, but we must not forget that, in a few months ’ time, some of the players who failed at the weekend will be expected to perform miracles for Bafana, probably against opponents from the same countries when the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers begin.
When they fail, it becomes easier to blame national coaches, whereas our top teams can barely qualify for the third round of the Champions League.
The chasm between our teams and others elsewhere on the continent is not only seen on the field – we saw it on the stands as well, when thousands of Raja fans packed the stadium in Casablanca. When Chiefs hosted them at Moses Mabhida Stadium last month, fewer than 20 000 pitched.
Our fans simply could not be bothered about a competition as prestigious as the Champions League, yet expect their national teams to prosper against countries whose teams would do anything to take part in the competition.
When Orlando Pirates went all the way to the final in 2013, only one of their home games – the first-leg final against Al-Ahly – was sold out.
Until such time everybody – from fans to clubs and players – take CAF competitions with the seriousness they deserve, instead of viewing them as an irritant, SA football will continue to play second fiddle on the big stage.
We are, however, encouraged by Pirates ’ showing against URA of Uganda, where they drew 2-2 to progress to the next stage of the Confederations Cup.
Pirates deserve plaudits for flying the SA flag, but they cannot do it on their own.
Already, Bucs ’ sterling performance in 2013 helped SA regain two more slots in CAF competitions.
But we can ’ t have a situation where we lose those slots because some of our teams are not as competitive as they are expected to be at this level.