As evident in my previous post, which I hope you have
looked at, I have a genuine love for the game of football. With all the issues
in the world having something as exciting as this is a joy. However, like many
forms of entertainment there are many issues that I have found. In this post I’ll
be speaking on South African football. My love for it, and why I feel SAFA is
going to be the death of the beautiful game in this country. So strap up and
enjoy the ride.
The South African Football Association is the governing
body and ruler of all things that pertain to the football in my country. An
association that merged 3 different associations in 1951, the South African
African Football Association, the South African Bantu Association and the South
African Coloured Football Association. This is the football association that in
the least, you would expect to have the best interest of the game and those who
answer to it. I have a few questions, what is SAFA doing? When are they
planning to take the cries of the South African public seriously? Do they
expect us to trust their judgment, to trust them without any question?
I ask because how does a team that was a pillar of hope and
excitement for many of us, a team that we all loved and enjoyed, a team with
its own identity, how did this team get to this position? Did they think that
getting us the World Cup would be enough, the hope for jobs, financial
prosperity, did they think that this would be enough? Honestly, how did we get
here?
As much as I have all these questions it would be remise of
me if I didn’t ask the same of the actual team, and the team I speak of Bafana
Bafana. When did the team move to this lacklustre, uninspiring space? When did
it seem like the supporters had more joy and pride for the team than those who
were selected to play for that team. This is never to doubt the abilities of
these players. I know the talent is there, I believe in them individually, the
leadership and anchor that is Itumeleng Khune, from the likes of Eric Mathoho,
Thulani Hlatshwayo, Andile Jali etc, who are not only veterans of the sport at
this point, but athletes who are fan favourites, that people have put their
trust into making sure they make us proud.
Now we as supporters could be putting a lot of pressure on
them, an unfair amount of pressure that maybe they can never live up to. To be
honest I can accept it. Maybe they aren’t as talented as I expected them to be,
maybe they aren’t able to mesh well as a team, maybe there are a lot of
expectations that they couldn’t live up to. Even with that, it is extremely
hard for me to accept it.
When did we stop looking at the talents that our players
possess and use that to our advantage? When did we start to look at the
influence of the outside world to dictate to us what our identity as a football
team is. I know the answer might be we never had an identity, maybe we always
looked to South America or Europe, to find our identity.
One of my biggest issues is wondering why our players do
not play in other parts of the world? Why did it take Jali to reach 24 to go to
Europe, one of the more promising and exciting players in this generation, was
just about to enter his prime and moved at that age? Is it because as a fan I believe
that maybe our players are extremely good, but maybe not good enough to make it
in the major markets? Another point I’m not willing to accept. Listen I haven’t
seen us produce a Messi or Ronaldo, but if they aren’t being developed at such
a high level how are we able to see if they even have a chance? On the bright
side we have: Thulani Serero, Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo
etc. who are playing in Europe. So there is hope, the talent and abilities are
there.
Even though I have many doubts, I am genuinely disappointed
in the entire organization from the top to the bottom. Jesus Christ do better. We
want to be excited again when the next Bafana game comes up, and SAFA, when you
don’t feed the consumer what it wants and pays for, they will stop caring, stop
supporting and all progress will be in vain. I love my country, my team, I grew
up in hope that we will get better, and even with all the issues I have hope
that we will.
This is part of a 3-part series that I am compiling, next
up I will be back on my women empowerment shit. I will be asking questions on
why we have neglected Banyana Banyana, they to need our love and support. So
stay tuned. Check out my twitter: @_LeratoMadlala, and my Facebook: Lerato
Madlala.Thank you for the love, please don’t forget to leave a comment, and
share the posts.
Peace and Love. Leh xx
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