SA players need to learn from foreign counterparts
South African players often take for granted the privilege that comes with choosing football as a career and focusing on the sport from an early age to adulthood.
Baroka FC’s new striker Richard Mbulu, chairman Khurishi Mphahlele and coach Wedson Nyirenda.
During the Africa Cup on Nations tournament you often read stories about some players from small countries like Madagascar and Cape Verde having fulltime jobs as policemen and teachers in their country, while South African players earn their living through football, yet they still perform below par.
The commitment and discipline shown by players from outside of South Africa is commendable.
Mozambican striker Richard Mbulu and Madagascan play maker midfielder Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana relocated to South Africa after they were signed by Baroka FC and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.
Dax worked at a hotel in Madagascar before he caught the eye of Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung while playing in the Cosafa Cup. Mbulu joined the Mozambique military at the age of 19 and continued playing football until he was discovered by a club in his country.
Having to show up at work at a certain time and be accountable for responsibilities instils a level of discipline in them that is not found in talented and often spoilt South African players.
The import players treat getting a chance to play football full-time like gold. They cherish it and their contribution to the success of clubs that sign them is visible in how they go about their business on the field.
There is also a level of pride in one’s country that they have which South Africans in general can only dream of, understanding that you represent your country in all your actions and nothing but your very best is good enough.
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