Boebie feels NFD talent ignored

BOEBIE Solomons has urged junior national team coaches to attend more National First Division (NFD) matches to widen their pool of players.

Solomons has questioned the decision to have PSL bench warmers in the national under23 team ahead of NFD players who get regular action.

Youngsters in the NFD get more action because of the under-23 rule, which forces clubs to start matches with five players who are 23 or younger.

Under-23 coach Owen da Gama recently picked Simphiwe Mtshweni, Lorendzo Gordinho, Menzi Masuku and Mbongeni Gumede, players who do not get regular PSL action at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

But he has also selected players such as Clement Ramakgasha of Jomo Cosmos and the duo of Jason Skippers and Khayelihle Shozi from M Tigers in the ABC Motsepe League.

“We need to do what the Bafana Bafana coach [Shakes Mashaba] does when selecting a senior team, to go around the country looking for talent. I don ’ t think it has been done in the junior teams,” said Solomons, who was at the u19 Premier Cup during the Easter weekend.

“Maybe Safa don ’ t have the budget or whatever reason. But you can ’ t call a camp of 40 players and then select a team. You need to go around the country and pick players. They need to watch NFD games.”

Solomons ’ s Cape All Stars team is in action today against Highlands Park at Philippi Stadium, eager to get their campaign back on track after two straight defeats recently.