SEDIBENG.- For the past few weeks TOUCHLINE has been attending the ‘Don’t Do Crime’ Winter Games at James Ground in Sharpeville.
TOUCHLINE was overwhelmed by the talent that was on display with some quality displayed, especially by teams such as BC FC, COVID-19 FC, All Blacks FC, and Manyora FC. As I said in my previous column these players can walk into any PSL starting eleven, they are just pure talent!
The quality of football displayed by these teams is at another level, to say the least. But why is such quality football at the tournament not in our football structures, like your SAB League?
Matter of fact, you can’t see that kind of football in the SAB League.
This is why SAB League teams don’t even attract the crowds like those at the tournaments enjoy. This is because there is no freedom of expression for those players (in the SAB League) in the name of winning at all costs. For example, as much as the teams at the tournament are desperate for prize money they still entertain the spectators with their God-given talent. Their coaches encourage them to play to their best abilities.
The truth is that structured football will remain poor because coaches expect too much from players and neglect the most aspect of the game which is entertainment. Whether you like it or not, entertainment is part of football.
In the past, soccer fans would pack the stadiums to capacity to watch individual brilliance from players such as Nelson “Teenage” Dladla, Ephraim “Jomo’ Sono, otherwise known as Black Prince, Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Doctor Khumalo, Ace Mnini, Herold Legodi, Harris “TV4” Chueu, Juluka Radebe, Professor Ngubane, the list is endless.
These above-mentioned players used to entertain crowds with their talent playing for big teams Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Amazulu, Mamelodi Sundowns, and other teams. In the past, those teams were expected to win but to do so in style.
Back to the ‘Don’t Do Crime’ Winter Games: These players made TOUCHLINE think back to when football was football. The soccer fans who spend the whole day at those dusty soccer grounds go home entertained. In recent games, we watch robots in action, not flair, no freedom of expression, and no entertainment.
It is like watching robots in action!
The same cannot be said about the PSL with some teams playing in front of empty seats because there are no longer players who entertain them. TOUCHLINE enjoyed each and every moment of action and the same can be said for soccer fans who packed the venue to capacity. We asked ourselves why this doesn’t happen in structured football.
Can somebody please bring back the good old days when football was known as a form of entertainment?
