Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fish says SA are playing catch-up

By Ed Aarons

Former South Africa international Mark Fish
Fish feels South Africa have been neglecting youth development

Former South Africa international Mark Fish believes Bafana Bafana's poor recent results are a result of neglecting youth development.

The 2010 World Cup hosts ended a six-match losing streak on Saturday with a scrappy 1-0 win over Madagascar.

But the losing run came as no surprise to Fish, who was part of the team which won the African Cup of Nations in 1996.

"I think we won the African Nations Cup too soon in many ways," he said.

"We lingered on our triumph for too long and the whole of Africa has moved forward since then, and we're now playing catch-up.

"The World Cup is a major stepping stone for our football - after it's over we will know exactly how far behind everyone else we are."

Fish is cutting his teeth as the manager of relegated Thanda Royal Zulu and the man who won 62 caps for Bafana Bafana is still looking for his first win at his new club.

He started his new job in July and was shocked by the standard of the squad he has inherited. The former defender admitted that major changes are needed if South African football is going to compete on the world stage.

"The mentality of the players is frightening," he explained.

"There is a fundamental problem with the understanding of the game in this country when you compare it to Europe.

"Even the basics like the back four staying in a straight line and forwards not knowing when to make runs off the ball - it's very worrying."

He added: "We haven't done enough development with our young players and that means none are ready to play senior football when they get to the age of 16.

"When you look at people like Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, they were regulars for England by the age of 18 but that simply doesn't happen in South Africa.

I know what to expect having played in a World Cup before so I'm really looking forward to it

Mark Fish

"Instead, we have to wait until they are 22 or 23 before you can think about playing for Bafana."

Fish is adamant that he would not even consider taking over as Bafana coach given the state of the organisation of the South African Football Association.

"I played for that federation as a player but I don't think I'd ever really want to work for them as a manager," he insisted.

"One or two things definitely need to change quickly."

As for the current team, Fish has a simple solution that most Bafana Bafana fans would readily agree with - recall Benni McCarthy and Nasief Morris.

"They are two players who are performing week in, week out in two of the best leagues in the world," he said.

"It's down to the team as a whole, but the problem has been scoring goals and Benni is a proven goalscorer."

South Africa coach Joel Santana has indicated that the door remains open for both players.

Fish, who featured in South Africa's debut appearance at the World Cup in 1998, is looking forward to seeing the world's best players on his doorstep.

"I don't think the fever has really hit South Africa just yet, but slowly things are changing as we get closer," he concluded.

"The Confederations Cup showed everyone what is possible and I think it is going to be a phenomenal tournament.

"I know what to expect having played in a World Cup before so I'm really looking forward to it.

"This is the biggest sporting event in the world and I can't wait for it to start."

ะพ 1:20 AM

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