Lucas Radebe Calls for Change So South African Football Can Be Great Again

• Lucas Radebe has weighed in on the state of South African football and what needs to change
• Radebe believes former players need to be involved in the development of the sport as well
• Bradley Grobler has also lamented a lack of development in South African football structures

Lucas Radebe believes that there needs to be some change if South African football is to return to its former glory.

The former national team captain has spoken out about the decline of the country's fortunes since hosting the 2010 World Cup, while also pinpointing what needs to happen for things to turn around.

As noted by the BBC, the former Leeds United defender said the exclusion of former players was a major reason for the game's decline in the country.

"Most of us who have played the game are not involved in the structures of the game," Radebe said.

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"Obviously, with the politics that are involved in the game, it becomes very stressful for individuals like us to get involved in the game and make sure that the game continues to improve in the country, and we sustain that," he added.

He continued that the Bafana Bafana squad was great in 1996 and better in 2010, but then the problems arose.

Radebe was the captain of the 1996 side that lifted the country's one and only Africa Cup of Nations title. However, he believes the side can return to being great again.

"We have to restructure to see the great Bafana Bafana coming back. We've got the talent, you can see, but we can't sustain it. We're not consistent enough to be able to say that we can compete now and get to that level."

Radebe also touched on the lack of development in the country, a topic others have also brought up repeatedly.

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Goal noted that SuperSport United striker, Bradley Grobler also blamed Bafana's poor fortunes on the country's lack of football development.

"If we are completely honest, the lack of development in South Africa for many years is showing now. Today, how many clubs have got really good academies? We could be far better than what we are with the right development structures."

Radebe appointed to CAF post

Bafana Bafana's legendary former captain, Radebe will also have an important say in African football matters from now on.

As Sports Brief reported, the former Kaizer Chiefs rock has been appointed to CAF's technical and development committee.

Radebe was selected by CAF alongside other legends including Cameroon's Jeremi Njitap and Senegal's Khalilou Fadiga.