Scoring goals ‘can be taught’

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Former Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Stanton Fredericks (above) says the lack of goals is becoming a continuous problem in the Absa Premiership as there has not been a player to score more than 15 goals in the last couple of seasons.

Fredericks reckons players tend to rush it when they have a chance to score inside the box and that is why most of the matches end in goalless stalemates.

“It’s a worrying factor. If you have a draw and it’s 2-2 then we will not complain. But it’s been an ongoing problem in South African football with the last top scorer over 20 goals being Collins Mbesuma. What I see from all the games is that players tend to rush when they are inside the box. Every opportunity they get either hits the poles or it is fluffed wide,” said Fredericks at the Kwa-Mahlobo Games draw and launch in Soweto yesterday.

“They need composure and it goes back to training, practice makes perfect. You have to put yourself in a situation whereby all day, every day in training you stay behind and face the goalkeeper. That is the only way we will get it right.”

Having had spells in Europe playing for Grasshoppers in Switzerland, FC Moscow in Russia and Pierikos FC in Greece, Fredericks added that South African players mostly lack the basics and it is something that needs to be dealt with in development to get things right.

“Speaking from having played abroad and understanding the level that is needed, we have the skill factor, but it’s the basics that are missing, passing, crossing and finishing,” he said.