Chippa backs youth platform

FORMER Bafana Bafana chief goalscorer Phil “Chippa ” Masinga has described the SAB Regional League as a platform to help youngsters realise their dreams of turning professional.

Speaking at the end of the 2013 Under21 National Championships in Cape Town on Saturday, Masinga urged soccer authorities to channel more resources into development to ensure more quality players are produced.

“The Regional League has proved to be a major success after being in existence for more than 10 years.

“I’m proud to be associated with it because it deals with one aspect that is close to my heart, which is development.

“We won’t be able to produce quality players for Bafana Bafana, Under-23s, Amajita and Banyana Banyana if development is neglected.

“When some of us were growing, professional clubs like Jomo Cosmos, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates prioritised development.

“We played in successful schools soccer competitions. Bra J [Jomo Sono] would not have discovered me if it were not for amateur soccer games like the SAB Regional League.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Leeds United star said he was happy to see more and more talent scouts attending the week-long tournament.

“I was happy to see representatives of Pirates, Wits, Sundowns and Santos here. I would have wished to see more NFD clubs because they must include five Under-23 players in their starting line-up.”

Western Cape were crowned 2013 champions after beating Mpumalanga 3-2 in the finals.