Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Matthew Pattison on Tuesday urged South Africa's soccer authorities to step up youth development.
“There should be a drive to bring in more youth development to work the talent in this country,” said Pattison, who is poised to make his debut for Bafana Bafana against the United States on Wednesday night.
“When one compares it to youth development in Europe, it is something that this country lacks,” he said.
He feels South African soccer is selling itself short by not concentrating its efforts on youth development.
Pattison, 24, is in camp with the national squad in Cape Town ahead of the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Cape Town Stadium.
No stranger to the squad, he was selected by former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for a pre-2010 World Cup training camp earlier this year, and played in an unofficial friendly against Swaziland.
Pattison emigrated to England with his family at the age of 11 and worked his way through the English youth ranks before landing contracts with Newcastle United and Norwich City.
He returned to South Africa last year to join Sundowns with the hope of forcing his way into Bafana Bafana's 2010 World Cup squad, but he missed out.
His sights are now set on securing a regular place in Pitso Mosimane's team.
He's been in fine form in domestic competition and his national team call-up was overdue.
Pattison's absence from recent Bafana Bafana teams has caused a media outcry.
Mosimane has gone to great lengths to explain that he did not bow to media pressure with this call-up.
Such was the hardworking Pattison's recent form that he has been named a PSL player of the month and the 2010 Nedbank Cup player of the tournament.
He has been at the heart of Sundowns' surge to the top of the Absa Premiership table and on occasions has stalked into the firing line to land the odd goal.
Pattison said he has spoken to Mosimane about his expectations and is excited about playing for South Africa's national team.
“I get along well with Pitso (Mosimane) and (I) know what he wants,” he said.
“I'm lucky to make the squad because there are many top midfielders in this country and breaking into the team is not going to be easy. I just have to keep plugging away.”
Mosimane has thrown the 25-year-old Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi a lifeline after the former Golden Arrows captain was sidelined by an injury sustained in the 2010 World Cup.
Dikgacoi has 33 Bafana caps and has only just started playing in the Fulham reserves team as part of his rehabilitation programme.
Fulham boss Mark Hughes has been pleased with his comeback form and has hinted that he is on the verge of returning to Barclays Premiership action if he continues to impress.
“I've been through some rather frustrating times because of injury,” said Dikgacoi.
“For the past 10 weeks I've been on the sidelines and now I just have to keep on doing well every time I play.
“I've played some matches for Fulham reserves and it's been going well, so I'm excited to be back and happy that the coach has given me a chance to be part of the national team again.”
At Fulham, Dikgacoi plays with Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson, two US national team caps, but they have not been called up for Wednesday's match. – Sapa