The early return of South Africa’s national under-20 soccer team, popularly known as Amajita from the 2017 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Korea further illustrate the work that lies ahead in this country.
Two losses from Japan and Italy means that Thabo Senong charges against group leaders Uruguay on Sunday will just be formality address their chances of even qualifying for the best third spot for look slim.
Having been in this country for three decades and have witnessed some great sporting moments especially in football, I must say it’s about time for South Africa, in all national teams, qualify to the knockout stages whenever they participate in the World Cups.
From Bafana Bafana in 1998 and 2010 as hosts, to Under-23 in 2000 and 2016, Banyana Banyana in 2012 and 2016, Amajita in 1997, 2005 and this year and the Under 17 in 2017, the abundance of talent has been glaring.
But the failure to pass the first hurdle of the group stages to knockout football, has been the missing link
That can boil down to meticulous planning, the proper identification of players and research as something our football authorities need to work hard on.
Looking at the amount of resources and the type of development structures the country possess, it’s still disappointing that our national teams cannot go beyond second rounds whenever they participate in the world’s greatest platform, the World Cup.
That is why the emphasis on continuity is important. From the under 17 squad that represented South Africa in the under 17 World Cup in Chile two years ago, few players formed part of the under 20 squad.
And that should be a concern as some of this players get lost into the system. Something we cannot ill-afford to lose if the SAFA 2020 vision is to be accomplished.
This comment and observation is not to criticize any member of the coaching staff or individual coaches since the circumstances are different since the preparations of other selections are long and outside the country not only when it is classified if not before the classification is why In these selections as they are the U 17 and U 20 never stops the preparation in continued throughout the year if there is a corresponding rest but very short.
If we observe other selections the preparations are long inside and outside the country and the continuity from one to others national team is very important if we make clear the selection of Japan had players from 15 to 17 years old with the 18 and 19 is clear that is being introduced The youth-based future does not all have the same age then it will happen to the U 23 but because a player of 17 years can not be in the U 23 that is the problem that happens in South Africa always looks at the Age at the statutory age must be changed.
Our neighbors Zambia, who are doing well in the same competition might have not the same resources as their South African counterparts but has been showing hunger and determination.
And if we are to truly be a country that wants to leave a footprint in the grandiose of world football, the World Cup, then we must plan well for our national teams to avoid being eliminated on the first rounds.
One hope this players will form part of the Under 23and eventually Bafana Bafana
We continue talk the beautiful game
Prof: Augusto Palacios
