Memphis shows how far we have fallen

Against all odds. . . Dutch forward Memphis Depay overcame a difficult childhood to shine on world stage.

One of the unlikely stars of the Netherlands squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is without a doubt winger Memphis Depay. He is used sparingly in the Dutch team, usually coming on as a second half substitute. The reason for that is clear: Depay is still being developed for big things in future.

He started playing regularly at his club PSV Eindhoven only from last season. Secondly, he only turned 20 in February this year, so he still needs protected, gradual introduction to the senior national team. And after just eight caps for Oranje, he's doing all-right.

Though the factors above are important to note, it is Depay's childhood which is more crucial to mention. He grew up without a father after his Ghanaian immigrant father left the family following divorce from Memphis' mother. Depay refers to this episode in his life by insisting to be called just Memphis, as seen with his team jerseys, because he finds hard to honour a father who was never there.  

As a result he grew up angry, with total disregard for authority, something youth coaches at Sparta Rotterdam noticed as soon as a 9-year-old Memphis joined the club's junior ranks. Despite the rebellious nature, Sparta coaches stuck out with him until they released him to PSV at the age of 12, in 2006.
His natural skills and strong physique allowed him to progress rapidly through the ranks at PSV, but lack of appreciation for discipline and school work were always lurking. He would threaten to return home after a serious reprimand for his wayward ways. Luckily for him, PSV put up a network of advisers around him, including coach-cum- father figure called Joost Leenders, to assist the young rebel off the pitch.

Through Leenders, Memphis understood the value of discipline, respect and work ethic, gradually developing into a player everyone now sees shining on the word stage in Brazil.
After signing his first professional contract at 16, Depay was promoted to the senior team at PSV Eindhoven the following year.

This story of social challenges affecting young men repeats itself in many parts of the world, and some of the biggest stars in football had to overcome tough neighbourhoods and dysfunctional families to reach the top.
From Cape Town to Polokwane, there are many Memphis cases in South Africa, the most prominent being the tragic story of Jabu Pule (Mahlangu). Pule, who also grew up without his father, also shot to prominence in his teens. But erratic behaviour showed that psychological scars of growing up in poverty were not dealt with properly at junior levesl.

The kind of support Memphis enjoyed from the age of 9 in Dutch academies points to a long journey that we are still to undertake to properly prepare our players to be world class material from an early age.
As things stand, football development in South Africa still battles to step up from its infancy stage. If our players continue to struggle with basics such as trapping and passing the ball, then we are still a long way from setting up structures for psychological therapy at our  academies.
With so many young players shining for best performing teams in this world cup so far, overall Brazil 2014 demonstrates how far behind South Africa has fallen in world football.

Horror story for Africa in Brazil continues

Rare joy. . . Gervinho scored the consolation goal as Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to Colombia on Thursday.

The African teams at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil have had a torrid first round, resulting with one of them, Cameroon, getting knocked out after the second wave of matches in Group A.

A horribly ill-disciplined and disjointed Cameroon lost 4-0 to a determined Croatia on Wednesday night. The central Africans had lost their opening match 1-0 to Japan, which means they are without points or goals ahead of their last match against Brazil on June 23 in Brasilia.

West Africans Ghana and Nigeria also had jittery starts, with Nigeria looking amateurish when drawing 0-0 against outsiders Iran. The Super Eagles have a such to redeem themselves in their remaining two matches. Ghana lost their opener, though their overall showing was far more decent. There's also hope, despite obvious heavy odds against the African teams.

Algeria also lost their opener to tournament's darkhorses Belgium, who came from behind to snatch a late victory from their substitutes. Ivory Coast were the only team from the continent to start with a victory, 2-1 over a determined Japan. Last night the Elephants fell 2-1 to Colombia but their cause to advance out of  Group C was strengthened by Greece and Japan cancelling each other out playing to a 0-0 draw.

Despite the overall poor start by Africa, the five teams which went to Brazil remain the best representation from the continent. I cannot think of another African country which could be said was unlucky not to qualify for Brazil 2014. The shortcomings of the five teams which are there -  including howlers such as Ghana letting in a 32 second goal against the US and Cameroonian players clashing onfield - represent everything that is wrong about African football. These shortcomings range from tactical errors, poor approach and general poor discipline which has kept the progress of African football on hold for many years now.
Africa still has a long way to go to provide meaningful challenge at the world cup.

The appointment of foreign coaches with no known achievement, such as Germany's Volker Finke of Cameroon, is not helping our cause on the continent. But the biggest contribution to change lies with attitude of the players; professionalism cannot be substituted at this level. My wish is that African players dump their crazy hairstyles and adopt a more mean look and approach to the game. I wish our players save their elaborate dance routines after scoring goals to the end of the match. At that time they have every right to celebrate a good outing.

Similarly, the national federations in Africa must start playing ball. The mayhem that preceded Cameroon's departure for Brazil often repeats itself around the continent as national associations' executives play hard ball when it is time to reward the players. You wonder why there are no cash problems when these executives book themselves five star trips to venues of international competition, such as the World Cup or Olympic Games.

Bafana job attracts all-sorts

Oh Jimmy. . . Former Chelsea striker Floyd Hasselbaink has joined a beeline of foreign coaches seeking to score the Bafana Bafana post. The question is does he qualify?

As the serious football nations prepare for the start of the 2014 World Cup on Thursday, we in South Africa continue taking care of the troubles of our national team, Bafana Bafana. This time they have no coach, and applications are streaming into SA Football Association's offices. Safa,  though they have been exposed to be under-qualified for this task, hold the right to choose. So, for the rest of us we can only amuse ourselves with opinions about some of the confirmed applicants.

Pim Verbeek - He's called Pim because he was born Peter Tim (and also Dirk) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Apart from a largely anonymous stint as a player in the Dutch league, as coach Verbeek has dressed himself in glory largely for being the assistant coach.  Fair enough, he was at the helm when Australia qualified for the 2010 tournament in South Africa. But he stunned by sending the Socceroos in without a striker against Germany, and duly received a 4-0 lashing in their opening match. After absorbing acerbic criticism back home, Verbeek fielded strikers in their next two matches, earning a 1-1 draw with Ghana and defeating Serbia 2-1. They did not advance, though. The 4-0 messed up their goal difference. He's now the youth coach for Morocco's junior teams. Verdict: Not for Bafana

Roberto Carlos - Exciting player to watch during his playing days, for Real Madrid and Brazil. I don't know much about his coaching career but I know his countrymen took advantage of our naivety, pretending to be working while pocketing millions over shot periods. Given his youth, Roberto Carlos will be suitable for the SA U20 team. He's never coached a national team anywhere. Verdic: Not for Bafana
Juan Ramon Lopez - I don't know him - or them. There are two Spanish former players who are now coaches, who go by that name. One has Caro, 51, as the maternal surname, and the other Muniz, 45. Verdict: Not for Bafana

David Moyes - He's good man, can take hardship. But I look at his face, I see sorrow. How is he going to inspire an equaly sorrowful entity called Bafana Bafana. I have so much pity for guys who are ready to suffer, than want to claim glory for themselves. Moyes was mistreated by Manchester United, but he does need Bafana at this stage. Verdict: No

Giovanni Trapattoni - The Italian journeyman is now doing stress-free retirement job in Rome - for the Vatican City national team! Who would have believed it, that there's more to the Vatican than monks and cardinals! At 75, Trapattoni is still sharp all right. But Bafana are a different beast. Verdict: No
Herve Renard - I went shopping for white shirts because of his fashion style. More like PR guru with extreme sports small business on the side, Renard may just be the guy the vainly fashion-conscious SA players want. His passion carried unfancied Zambia to new heights, winning the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Verdict: Yes

Vladislav Heric - Long before him we had one Walter Rautmann, football firemen who are prepared to jump into a mess coaches with silky suits would not dare. Heric is supposed to be a folk hero for South Africa's football backwaters. This is where the Serbian-born coach goes to help unfancied clubs with minimal resources to gain promotion to the elite league. Curiously when he had achieved that, he gets dumped, the latest being Chippa United last month. Dogged tenacity is what Heric gives; it is written in his face. With him any no-hoper performs. Verdict: Yes for Bafana (I want to add that he won't be considered because he is not glamorous enough for Safa.)

Ruud Krol - I loved very much when he was with my club Orlando Pirates. He found a team  which no longer knew what it meant to be champion. A former international defender of high repute, the Dutchman first sorted the messy Pirates defence. Once that was sorted, he whipped the attacking players into workhorses. Results, three trophies in one season, including the PSL championship. On the day we, the Buccaneers, were celebrating the championship at Orlando Stadium, a the end of the must-win match against Lamontville Golden Arrows, the decision to fire Krol had already been made. Shucks. Verdict: Yes, Yes

Marcel Desailly - Apart from his role in various organisations for human rights and development, Ghana-born former captain of France is football pundit on TV. He was here in 2010 doing work for ITV. As a coach I never heard a thing about Desailly. Verdict: No

Floyd Hasselbaink - If only Bafana strikers could be as forceful as the former Chelsea forward we would be talking something else now. Well Jimmy Floyd is in his first coaching job, with Antwerp in the Belgian second division since last year. The Suriname-born Dutchman is not doing badly because in his first season Antwerp finished seventh in the league last month. Verdict: No

Dick Advocaat - Nice name, sounds like my favourite fruit avocado. Another Dutchman, albeit with a long, long career with notable successes all over the world, including Russia and UAE. Highly confident personality, with assuring presence and words, the kind of guy you feel you can't lose when fighting alongside him. Verdict: Yes