South African national development team coach Simon Ngomane’s selection of a makeshift team, comprised of mainly second and third-division players, has gone against Pitso Mosimane’s “Vision 2014”.
As part of the 10 steps he identified as the basis for achieving Vision 2014, Mosimane stated in a July 2010 document that the country needed to “send players that are earmarked for Bafana Bafana to participate in the African Nations Championships”.
But following the Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs’ refusal to release even their fringe players, who hardly make it to the substitutes’ bench, Ngomane has been forced to use lesser-known players.
Mosimane’s Vision 2014 is to build a strong and competitive Bafana Bafana team in preparation for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2014 World Cup.
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| Pitso Mosimane |
When announcing the African Nations Championships team yesterday, Ngomane admitted that his was a “Plan B” selection. “We experienced challenges with the selection of the team, particularly because of the fact the tournament falls outside the Fifa dates. As a result it made it difficult for players to be released by their clubs.
“Confronted by this reality, we had to come up with Plan B.”
The SA team will compete at the tournament in Sudan from February 4 to 25. This is already an improved achievement by the team that failed to qualify for the inaugural edition two years ago.
Ngomane’s team is in group B along with Ghana, Zimbabwe and Niger. The development side has been in camp since January 11, with 40 players having assembled in Nelspruit before the squad was reduced to 26 yesterday.
Ngomane said they chose Nelspruit as the base for two reasons – it is a very hot region close to conditions in Sudan, and “we were also looking at the number of teams in the geographic areas that we could play friendly matches against”.
“We have in the radius of 60km at least four teams that we have played,” said Ngomane.
The team has played against Jomo Cosmos and a couple of Vodacom League teams. They will take on Sweden in an international friendly on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium. Ngomane pointed to the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Tsepo Masilela and Bernard Parker as products of the side.
He also mentioned Rooi Mahamutsa as having benefited at club level. “He was unknown before this team gave him an opportunity. There has already been interest from PSL clubs in most of these youngsters in the current team.”
Ngomane is assisted by former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Humphrey Mlwane while Innocent Mayoyo, who has played for 11 professional teams, is the goalkeeping coach.
“We are confident that the team will go there and compete,” said Ngomane.
The only notable names in the team – which has players ranging from the ages of 17 to 29 – are Myron Shongwe, 29, Jacob Mokhasi, 28, Collin Zimba, 27, and Jabulani Shongwe, 20.
Ngomane explained: “The old must lead the young. It’s a norm. We have to bring the right mix between youth and experience.”
Meanwhile, the national Under-23 side will play against Angola in the All Africa Games qualifier at Sinaba Stadium on Sunday. Pitso’s 2014 plan takes a blow
Source -http://www.thenewage.co.za/