Tsamaya ’ part of SA soccer culture

THE English have made it known what they think of our skilful soccer players.

Their media has branded Thabo Rakhale’s tricks “pointless”. This is not the first time the English are having trouble with our skilful players.

Back in 2003, Orlando Pirates played Tottenham Hotspur in a preseason warm-up match and the then Spurs manager, Glenn Hoddle, said Pirates were disrespectful after running circles around bemused Spurs players. Steve Lekoelea tormented Spurs that afternoon.

Whether they like it or not, skilful players are part of SA’s soccer tradition. Tsamaya and show-me-your-number are here to stay. It’s just a question of how our coaches harness those skills and make them part of positive play.

If the dribbling is not used effec- tively, it can be pointless.

There is no doubt that skilful players can be a deadly weapon. They can slow down the tempo of the game if needed and poke holes in the opposition defence with their skills.

What is needed is for them to be reminded that they are not freestyle footballers but are working with 10 others for a common cause.

Richardson Mzaidume, by e-mail