I have to admit that I'm getting a bit frustrated with these so-called English giants of football that come to our shores to play a couple of friendlies. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to have the star players over here, and for the football supporters here who worship the English Premier League, it's a real treat. But for our own teams and our own players that play against them, it's a case of, you're buggered if you do and you're buggered if you don't.
If a PSL team beats the visiting English team, as has happened on numerous occasions now, a plethora of excuses is tabled by all and sundry, including some of our own football TV analysts, as to why such a result could happen. "It's just a friendly, it doesn't mean anything." "The guys are having a heavy preseason so they're not really up for it." "It means more to the South African players than it does to the English club's players."
These are just a few of the excuses I have heard time and again. If, however, the English club wins, it's a different story. All of a sudden all the same excuses that should also hold true for any South African losing team are quickly tossed aside and replaced by, "You see how far South African soccer still has to come." "That's why English soccer is so much better than the PSL." "South African players just can't compete at that level." "That's why I don't watch South African soccer."
Quite frankly, I'm tired of it.
South African teams are also in preseason mode. And if the Man City players are going through the motions, then is it safe to say that South African players and the clubs they play for are more professional than their English counterparts when it comes to preseason training? Here are some facts to remember when trying to justify how SuperSport United beat Manchester City.
Manchester City has a new coach. There is no doubt that any new coach would want to win his first game in charge to get off on the right foot with the supporters of his club. Manuel Pellegrini wanted to win this game, which is why he started with a very strong first eleven. He thought by the start of the second half that the game would be won and he could then make the wholesale changes we saw. Keep in mind that when a new coach takes over, the players who did not feature in the previous coach's plans now all feel that they have a new chance to try and stake a claim during preseason. You can bet your bottom dollar they are trying to shine.
Keep in mind that most of these Man City players are earning in the region of R1 million a week. There is no such thing as a friendly game for a top professional. Time and again we hear from our own players who train and trial with European clubs how seriously players over there take their training. That even a five-a-side is played with massive commitment.
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When you pull on a Man City jersey, especially on a tour of Africa, where the club is spending millions in an attempt to try and grow the brand, losing is not an option. Losing hurts any brand building exercise. The idea is to show the locals (us) what we believe to be true, that English Premier League football is worlds apart from our own, and that their players should make our players look like amateurs. That the gap is as huge as we perceive it to be, and that the massive difference in salaries is justified. Well, that didn't happen and, to be honest, it rarely does. In fact, every time an English outfit comes out here, their performance strips away another piece of the myth that is English football.
Without the fancy camera work, without the top class commentary, purely based on 90 minutes on a rugby field in South Africa, SuperSport United outclassed, outmuscled and outplayed a very capable Man City team. And judging from the tackles, the aggression and the consternation on the bench of these English juggernauts, I would say they were trying their best to take a win away from this game. If they tell you any different, that they were just going through the motions, it would show a complete lack of respect for Nelson Mandela, whom they are meant to be honouring with their performance.
And on that note, Soccer-Laduma would like to wish Madiba a very happy 95th birthday this 18 July. You remain an inspiration to us, you will always be South Africa's number one citizen, you will always be the world's number one citizen, and for that we thank you. SuperSport United honoured you with their performance last week, and no doubt, win or lose, AmaZulu will try their very best to do you proud with their performance tomorrow night (Thursday). I just hope the 'Citizens' from Manchester come to the party.
We're paying double what we normally pay to watch a game so at least give us a show.
Shapa, Clint
Follow Clint on Twitter: @SoccaClint
