Give young players chance

SOUTH Africa’s only national soccer team challenging for a legitimate medal this year – Amajita, the Under-20s – went to camp this week to prepare for next month’s African Championships in Zambia.

We find it very disturbing that the club-versus-country debacle is threatening to overshadow coach Thabo Senong’s build-up to the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations – with their opening match against Cameroon just a few weeks away from February 27.

Safa has been waxing lyrical about Vision 2022, a long-term plan that talks about the rebuilding of the structures that will bring about the sustained international success of the national teams.

Yet, given Safa’s slow pace at resolving matters with Bafana Bafana, who are currently without a coach, we wonder what contingency plan Safa has in place to ensure that Senong gets all the players he has called up.

As much as we understand that the clubs are no under obligation to release players because the February 26 to March 12 continental championships fall outside the Fifa calendar – we still feel that all the stakeholders must reach some consensus.

We believe that nothing but patriotism should outweigh personal agendas, especially with Fifa U-20 World Cup tickets guaranteed for the nations that reach the semifinals in Zambia.

We believe that for Vision 2022 to achieve its objectives, young players should be afforded the opportunity to gain experience so South Africa can be on par with the powerhouses of African football at senior level.

We can’t be the masters of our own demise yet again. –