Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, couldn't be more right with his remarks on Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Cassius Mailula not being ready for a move abroad, just yet. However, one has to understand why some people feel differently to the Bafana Bafana mentor's views because of the high levels of desperation in our game over the last couple of years.
The Belgian-born coach's comments attracted a lot of attention, with some believing he was right, while others believed he was talking nonsense. One thing about the 70-year-old coach is his honesty. This is one man who never shies away from ruffling feathers with his forthright answers to questions, sometimes dishing it up unprovoked. "Honestly, I don't think he's ready for Europe now, I don't think (so). Mailula is doing very good, but this is his first (full) season. Last year, he came one game, two games and it was finished. You didn't see him. Now he breaks through, but thinking that he's now ready to go to Europe, I should advise him to stay one more year at Sundowns, playing in the (CAF) Champions League. It will be good for his development. Don't underestimate going to Europe, don't underestimate it certainly for a striker. It is very difficult. So, again, he has the potential, he has the potential, but don't take that decision (going abroad) too soon. I know everyone (is going), 'Mailula, Mailula' – be careful with that. It is his first (full) season, he's doing well in the Champions League also. He scores, yeah, ok, but it is only seven months, seven months in a team like Sundowns, who's dominating every game. It is different. So, let him take some more experience at a high level, with Sundowns always in the Champions League. So, let him stay another year and it will be good for him," said the former Genk head coach.
This comment didn't land softly with some the football fraternity, dividing opinion, which is something the Belgian mentor has excelled in doing since taking charge of the 1996 Afcon champions. While one is mindful of the experienced mentor's 'foot-in-mouth disease', you have to cut him some slack and be brutally honest with ourselves and the situation, without misconstruing his point. Playing outside of your province of birth, let alone country, is a big ask and anyone who has had to leave their comfort zone at a young age to pursue their career will attest to that. The coach is 100% right to say Mailula isn't ready to go abroad, just yet, and it is difficult to fathom why anyone would argue with him on this one. The coach isn't questioning Mailula's ability, as he rightfully admitted to his potential, but the player has really not done enough to establish himself to think of an overseas move. Also, don't be misled by Sundowns' success and dominance into thinking that things are as easy as they make them seem to be. Not every team is like Sundowns, therefore it is important for the player to experience all kinds of situations and emotions to develop into a fully-fledged footballer. Being part of a successful team isn't a true reflection of what life or football is all about out there. It is easier to introduce a young-ster and give them ample game-time at a successful big team than it is at their struggling counterparts.
Some might point to Kaizer Chiefs as a counter-argument, but if you consider the fact that Amakhosi, at some stage, had no choice but to dig deep into their development reservoirs due to the FIFA ban, then you will understand why they've been one of the frontrunners in promoting their own talent to the senior team. Some have grabbed the opportunity with both hands, while others proved not to be completely ready for the task and pressure of wearing the famous Gold and Black jersey. We tend to rush our youngsters, overhype them and put a lot of unnecessary pressure on them. They enjoy the spotlight, only to become like a dear in front of the headlights and then disappear into thin air without fulfilling their potential. Desperation is dangerous! People are so desperate for the next big star that every promising youngster is touted as the next big thing to come out of that particular camp. Without even getting a chance to establish themselves or prove what they are all about, they have almost everyone singing their praises and that is so detrimental to the development of the players because they should be allowed space to grow, rather than being rushed into superstardom.
However, can you really blame the general public who are so desperate for the next big star? Can you blame people who have been living on a wing and a prayer for so long? Almost every start of the season, there used to be a couple of youngsters introduced to the senior team and they would woo the supporters to the stadium in their numbers because everyone wanted to know more about them. They were drawcards for their respective teams and kept the conversation and excitement going among the supporters. These are players who gave the throngs of supporters a reason to spend their hard-earned money to attend games, knowing they would come back with a 'goodie pack' from the action provided by the players. We don't see enough of that these days and whenever there is a promising talent somewhere, everyone wants a piece of him because of the hunger and thirst for new, up-and-coming talent. There's a long list of players who flattered to deceive with their careers before disappearing without a trace. You'd think we'd have learned something from such unfortunate experiences, as these players took domestic football by storm, only to last a couple of seasons before falling into oblivion.
The last thing South African football needs is a repeat of the same mistakes of making untried and untested players feel they've done it all. Just a few months ago, Orlando Pirates' most influential player so far this season, Monnapule Saleng, was compared to the club's legend, Dr Ephraim Jomo Sono! Can you believe it? Before even finishing his first season at the club, Saleng was already likened to one of the players who made supporting the Buccaneers fashionable! This is a legend many worship the ground he steps on, he's saved the club from the jaws of defeat on countless times and drew thousands of supporters to the stadium to watch the Skull Bones. Did we mention leaving his beautiful wife at their wedding's reception to go and save Pirates from a defeat that was staring them in the face? His own wedding, not just as a guest! Then you reduce him to that level of comparison. That's what desperation does to you! Luckily, Saleng doesn't seem deterred by the comparison as his game has remained steady, but it could have easily ballooned any other player's head and saw them become overnight prima donnas.
When Sundowns introduced Grade 10 midfield sensation, Siyabonga Mabena, we sang Hallelujah about him, which is an indictment on South African football. If we took care of our development, the way we should, seeing a 16-year-old making his senior team debut would be common practice. The DStv Premiership should be littered with U20 players commanding regular berths in their respective teams, as that's the right age for players to make their mark rather than in their late 20s. One would think the likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Teko Modise, among a litany of former stars, starting their careers so late would have been a wake-up call, but it is still happening. Why? Simply because development is not getting the attention it deserves and therefore we get so desperate for the next best talent to grace our stadiums. Dare I repeat it, our desperation is dangerous!
Cheers,
VeeJay
