Soccer writer Rodney Reiners on the SA Under-23 team’s defeat to Senegal in the Olympic qualifiers at the weekend:
The SA U23 side’s opening 3-1 defeat to hosts Senegal once again emphasised two glaring weaknesses that characterise the domestic game – the ubiquitous wastefulness in front of goal and the continued inability to deal with powerful strikers.
The South Africans certainly weren’t outclassed. They played some smart attacking football at times, with rising Wits teenage star Phakamani Mahlambi providing ample proof of his enormous potential.
But silly mistakes, loss of concentration during key moments, bad luck (especially with regard to on-field injury) and failing to make the most of scoring opportunities all conspired to condemn the youngsters to defeat.
The general frailties of South African football were cruelly exposed. From lower tier, to the top-flight PSL, to senior national level with Bafana Bafana, goal-scoring remains a constant and pressing issue. This country just cannot perform the most important thing in the sport – scoring goals – with consistency.
Also, big, quick forwards always unsettle South African defenders. Currently in the PSL, the two most feared attackers are Collins Mbesuma (MP Black Aces) and Nathan Paulse (Ajax Cape Town) – both, of course, powerful, aggressive players.
And, casting the memory back over the years of SA playing on the continent, they have always struggled to deal with the robust nature of football in west Africa.
The SA U23 loss should surely intensify the desperate need for the coaching and administrative custodians of the sport to place these flaws at the top of their agenda.