Football Fan Admits That Mzansi Needs to Export More Players Overseas to Be More Competitive

Football Fan Admits That Mzansi Needs to Export More Players Overseas to Be More Competitive

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
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  • A local football made an observation about the state of South African football while watching the unfolding 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon
  • Watching Nigeria comfortably defeating Egypt, he observed that their squad was of high quality because its players were based overseas, something Bafana Bafana can hardly boast about
  • This observation touched people on their studios, with respondents vehemently disagreeing or nodding their heads approvingly

A local football fan watching the ongoing 2021 African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon made a stark observation because of Bafana Bafana's absence in Cameroon.

Alex Sithole (@AlexSithole) believes that in order for the national football team to be competitive and qualify for more tournaments, players at home need to start playing overseas. Noting the quality of Nigeria's squad in the competition, he believes that South Africans tolerate mediocrity.

south africa, nigeria, egypt, 2021 african cup of nations, 2022 fifa world cup, overseas, mo salah
A Twitter user believes the difference in quality between South Africa and Egypt lies overseas. Image source: Lefty Shivambu & Daniel Beloumou Olomo/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Sithole said:

"We need to import [sic] more players overseas. Nigeria squad is quality... in the PSL we celebrate and over hype mediocre [sic] #AFCON2021"

The response to his observation was mixed from agreement to disagreement.

@SimSolutswayi said:

"Lies detected, here. When Bafana Bafana used to go pound-to-pound with the likes of Brazil Germany and Argentina most players were playing at home, but the day SAFA said we needed experienced coaches was the end of us. Until we stop importing plumbers..."

@SthembisoMhize said:

"Where do you get those to import [sic]? We need local players to stop thinking that they have made it. If only they can be hungry to win troph. That would be the time they move. Look at Hlongwane from Maritzburg. He is now in US. Our players should go to Belgium, Russia and other countries."

@Terrypedia said:

"When you tell people about the standard of PSL that continues to make great strides towards mediocrity they get emotional. Almost half the continent is there and we are in denial. Abo Xulu would have survived against Egypt? Sierra Leone had, like, eight European-based players to hold off Algeria."

Mzansi Praises the Super Eagles after impressive win over the Pharaohs of Egypt

Swallowing their pride and setting an ancient rivalry aside, South Africans were impressed with the controlled and rather comfortable win for Nigeria over an imposing Egypt team.

As reported on Sports Brief, Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho's beautiful strike in the 30th minute was the difference between the sides in the group D opener.

There can be no question about how well in control the Super Eagles were, encapsulated by how they neutralised the otherwise usually deadly Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.

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Keba Mothoagae
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