SA stars showing ‘lack of ambition’

Super Sport United brand ambassador Jabu Mahlangu, best known for his halcyon days at Kaizer Chiefs, is worried about the growing trend of South African players turning their backs on Europe in the prime of their careers.

Ayanda Patosi and Daylon Claasen raised eyebrows when they joined Cape Town City and Bidvest Wits respectively, prompting him to question their ambition.

“People must not get me wrong,” he pleads.

“These are talented players that we would like to see do well in Europe. For them to come back, I think they lack character and they are afraid of the challenges outside the country,” he said.

“Coming back home at 24 and 26 is cowardly for me. They are looking to be comfortable. This will always affect our national team. We expect them to do well abroad. Look at the likes of Steven Pienaar, he spent 16 years abroad. If they come back at the age that they are, it worries me.”

Mahlangu was part of Milutin Sredojevic’s Orlando Pirates squad in 2006, and he praises the Serb for returning.

“I was there and I can confess that we had trouble with the likes of Lebogang Mokoena,” he said jokingly.

“At that time Micho was very young. It was not easy for him to win the dressing-room. For the past two seasons Pirates have not reached the standards we expect, and they have had many coaches in the past couple of seasons, which is worrying.”