Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Travis’ work is there for all to see A possible ticket to Rio for consistent Morris, but will Da Gama even look his way?
SO here’s the strange and baffling tale of the football career of Travis Graham. It’s also a lucid, unambiguous example of the flaws that strangle the progress of South African football at a national level.
The 22-year-old Ajax Cape Town central midfielder is a leader and a solid, dependable professional. He’s a team man, going about his work tirelessly and unselfishly. He’s the type of footballer whose name is the first to be written down on the team sheet, such is his desire and commitment to the cause.
Graham is now in his second season as captain of the Ajax PSL squad. It was a natural progression because, as a junior, he skippered the Cape side’s successful age- group academy teams, both locally and in numerous tournaments abroad.
Graham regularly competes against the best this country has to offer, from Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Wits and every other top-flight club in what the PSL loves to boast is one of the best leagues on the continent.
And there you have it – leader, top footballer, courage and character, mature and composed, and highly-rated by his peers. But here’s the rub: Graham cannot make the South African national Under23 squad. Really? I’m sorry, there’s something seriously wrong with that.
He was bitterly disappointed at missing out on the U23 squad for the Olympicqualifying tournament in Senegal in December last year.
The U23s managed to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games by finishing third in the event, thanks to an inspirational display from Graham’s PSL fixtures Today: Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City v Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns v Jomo Cosmos, Kaizer Chiefs v Ajax Cape Town (FNB Stadium, 8.15pm), Wits v Free State Stars. Tomorrow: Platinum Stars v SuperSport United, Bloemfontein Celtic v University of Pretoria. Ajax teammate, goalkeeper Jody February.
Last month, SA U23 coach Owen da Gama took a team to Brazil as part of the Olympics warm-up programme – still no Graham in the squad.
The U23s were outclassed 31 by Brazil. On Thursday, the draw for the football event at the Rio Olympics was conducted, with the SA U23s drawn in a group with host nation Brazil, along with Iraq and Denmark. The tournament runs from August 3-20.
So, surely, with South Africa coming up against far stronger opposition in August this year, Da Gama needs to look at strengthening his squad? There are undoubtedly weak areas in the U23 team who did duty in Senegal last year. To beef up, surely Graham should come into contention?
To the young man’s credit, he hasn’t allowed the disappointment to get him down. He’s continued to get on with the job at hand, confident that the harder he works and the more he performs, the national selectors will have to look his way.
Graham will today anchor the Ajax midfield when the Urban Warriors take on Kaizer Chiefs in a PSL fixture at FNB Stadium ( kickoff 8.15pm), and it’s an opportunity for him to again prove that he deserves a shot at going to the Olympics.
“Obviously, not getting into the U23 squad is a disappointment,” said Graham. “I think my performances in the PSL are there for all to see… But, at the end of the day, it’s out of my control, it’s the selectors’ decision as to who they want, and I respect that. All I can do is keep working hard and hopefully my opportunity will come. If it does, I’ll be ready to give my best.”
Oh, and while we are on the subject of the U23 selection, why don’t we throw another name at Da Gama – Tashreeq Morris. The 21-year-old Ajax attacker has just returned from the Netherlands, where he was invited for a training stint with top Dutch club, Ajax Amsterdam.
According to Ajax coach Roger de Sa, who was on the trip as well, Morris and team- mate Abbubaker Mobara ( a member of the SA U23 squad) did very well in Amsterdam and they never looked out of place.
Morris has been a consistent performer for the Cape side (he scored again when Ajax drew 1- 1 with third- placed Platinum Stars on Wednesday), and he’s a player on the rise.
With Da Gama likely to miss his star Wits winger Phakamani Mahlambi for the Olympics due to injury, Morris is the ideal replacement.
But, to get back to Graham, with the U23s not his immediate focus, the captain can shift all his attention to getting Ajax to finish the season on a high.
“It has been a rollercoaster ride for us this season,” he said. “It has been up and down, but now we should look at finishing strong. It’s crucial that we end the season in a top-eight position, so that we can defend our MTN8 crown next season.
“I think our problem this season has been a mental issue,” Graham added. “After the MTN8 success, we then had to deal with the death of Cecil Lolo, and those things took time for the players to handle. But it’s now important that we get it together and pitch up at every game as a team, and play to our potential.”
Chiefs haven’t won in their last seven outings, which is why Graham is aware that they can expect a tough, competitive match against a wounded Amakhosi tonight.
“Chiefs have also had their ups and down this season,” said the Ajax skipper.
“The winless streak will affect them, they’ll be under pressure, and we have to use it to our advantage. To do that, we will have to be at our best.
“But, on the other side, it’s also important to note that Chiefs remain a top club, with great players at their disposal.
“They’re a well-established club and we know that their fans often create a 12th man for the team. We’ll have to be ready for anything. But, with a top-eight finish as the focus, we won’t lack for motivation.”