SEDIBENG.- In fact, we all know that Sedibeng (Vaal) tops in producing household name in South African football.
TOUCHLINE had a very interesting conversation with one of the Sports Administrators in this region regarding the visit of Coach Pitso. We all know who Coach Pitso is unless you were born yesterday, yes, this is the same man who was at one stage at the helm of Egyptians giants Al Ahly. The visit of Coach Pitso was great news for the development of football taking into consideration that this region has made a lot of headlines for all wrong reasons recently. Coach Pitso visited Vaal Killers’ soccer ground and those with good memories will agree with TOUCHLINE that this dusty soccer ground has some great memories. The youngsters from Ikageng Development FC will cherish this visit for the rest of their lives, especially those who will be fortunate enough to turn professional.
For the uninformed, Coach Pitso is on a mission to open his football school, or should I say his development academy. His visit was part of a scouting network for his academy. This shows how much talent we have in this region as TOUCHLINE has always maintained that we are blessed when it comes to talent in this region.
Coach Pitso’s visit just confirmed this, but we can’t see this!
For too long now, this region has become a feeder to other regions and provinces, including national teams. But having said this, we can’t even produce a first division football club regardless of the talent we have. Look at how many of our players are all over the PSL clubs, and the Motsepe Foundation League, but back here at home we have no professional football club. I will repeat what happened about Vaal Professionals, which happened to be the pride of Vaal by then. The club was relegated from top flight football due to infighting of the management for ownership of the team more than 20 years ago now. Coach Pitso knows this and as a former player and now a coach, he knows Sedibeng is one of the best regions when it comes to football. His visit to Vaal Killers was not coincidence, he knows Sedibeng is where many PSL teams scout players from.
TOUCHLINE hopes that the development coaches who have been loyal to the development of football in this region will be rewarded one day. Coaches such as Themba Dlamini, Mondli Nkosi, Vecks Gumede, Speza, Yster, Fistos, Mavusana, Jerry, Stambo, Pule, Happy, Guna, Master Zondo, Isaac Mphasane, Tebello Kheswa, Shambara and Zwee, to mention but few, have done enough for the development of our football in this region. If it wasn’t for the above mentioned development coaches, TOUCHLINE doesn’t think that our football would be where it is today.
The biggest challenge with our football in Sedibeng, is to win together, stay together and grow together!
