Footballers need to be given opportunities

in the STANDS

FOOTBALL is not just about talent and ability. It’s not about belief and commitment and dedication. It’s not about ambition, industry and dreams. It’s not about celebrity or kasi flavour.

Yes, all of the above may be very important in achieving success as a professional footballer… But, you know what, there is something even more crucial than these traits mentioned. In a word: Opportunity.

Because, without the opportunity, a player cannot put into practice his innate qualities like talent, ability, belief and industry. In essence, without opportunity, a player cannot realise his dreams. Recent weeks in the PSL have certainly re-inforced this opinion that opportunity is critical. And, when Ajax Cape Town’s Mark Mayambela won yet another man-of-the-match award at the weekend, he emphasised the point by saying: “Football is a game of opportunities…”

We all know how good Mayambela is. We all know he has a left foot that could probably open a can of beans. And, yet, in spells with Orlando Pirates, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Djurgardens in Sweden, Chippa United and SuperSport United, he hardly got a look in. Now, at Ajax, given a proper opportunity by coach Stanley Menzo, Mayambela is flourishing, and giving full vent to his prodigious talent.

There are probably many such examples. But let me just cite three more examples from recent PSL action. Two weeks ago, Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler faced a tough decision on whether to play Sibusiso Masina or Bhongolethu Jayiya, who had been showing renewed enthusiasm at training. Tinkler opted for Jayiya. Opportunity knocked – and Jayiya struck a magnificent hat-trick.

Last week, Tinkler lost both his central midfielders – Roland Putsche (suspension) and Mpho Matsi (injured) – and he handed Thabo Nodada an opportunity. Nodada had been out injured for many months, but he eagerly grabbed the opportunity, scoring a goal and being named man of the match.

Mamelodi Sundowns had a crisis in the centre of defence, with Wayne Arendse, Ricardo Nascimento and Bangaly Soumaharo all injured, but rising star Motjeka Madisha stepped into the breach and made the most of the opportunity. And, talking about Arendse, remember that, for two seasons, he struggled to even make the Sundowns bench. Once given a chance – Boom! He has never looked back…

There’s a lesson in that: They say that the reason why most do not recognise an opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work. Well, I guess that often is the case. But, sometimes, there are those like Myambela, Jayiya, Nodada and Madisha…