MDC breeding ground for stars of the future
Congratulations are in order for Golden Arrows after winning the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) with a game to spare. This competition has been doing great work in terms of making sure players get the game time they need when they are required to go and perform in the senior team. That has been something the MDC has been addressing very well since its inception.
When we take a look at players such as Kaizer Chiefs’ Wiseman Meyiwa and Sipho Mbule from SuperSport United, yes, they do play in the national youth teams, but the MDC gave them that opportunity to play regularly and gave them the necessary experience which has helped them in their integration to the senior team.
Another example is Chiefs’ Ryan Moon, who was a consistent player in the MDC, he is now arguably one of the top strikers in the country. He has shown good progress and a lot of that should be attributed to the MDC.
In almost every MDC festival, the stadiums are always full and that goes a long way in helping the players develop psychologically in terms of how to go about handling pressure.
I feel the fact that there are cameras and the players are aware they are being watched on television goes a long way in terms of developing the players and eliminating the stage fright factor at an early age.
It is not only about the players, we have seen younger referees getting more exposure regarding officiating in a more competitive game.
Even though there are some shortcomings here and there, overall the MDC really needs to be applauded for the responsibility it has taken upon itself to be the custodian of developmental football.
We see young kids flocking in to watch the games, which is good for our development because it serves as an inspiration for the aspiring kids who want to see themselves playing for one of those teams in the future.
On the side of the Absa Premiership, the big Tshwane derby is coming up this weekend between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, but first they both have to deal with Free State Stars and Platinum Stars respectively.
Those results will be key because Matsatsantsa are facing a side that is looking to move away from relegation, while SuperSport themselves are still struggling to find their feet.
On the part of Sundowns, they would want to clinch the Premiership title as soon as possible.
I doubt Sundowns will go into the Tshwane derby banking on the fact they have not lost against SuperSport in the league in a very long time.
Instead, they will go out there feeling the pressure Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Stars are applying
on them at the top of the Absa Premiership. And it doesn’t make it any easier that Downs are playing Stars, who look like strong title contenders, ahead of a crucial derby game, which we know is not only about three points, it also comes with bragging rights.
Overall, it is quite exciting to see teams fighting to avoid relegation and the race for survival being so close.
If SuperSport beat Platinum Stars tonight, it will spell all of sorts of danger for Roger de Sa’s team and survival from here on in will be a very difficult mission.
However, it is still a bit too early to confirm who will be automatically relegated and who will live to fight for their status in the promotion/relegation play-offs as I have mentioned, the games are coming in thick and fast and everyone is playing for their lives.