Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has decried the low number of young players coming through in South African football, which he blames on impatient club owners.
McCarthy feels there is plenty of talent that can be harnessed but coaches are afraid to integrate them into the senior teams because the powers that be want results at all costs.
He believes young players are suffering as a result because they lack the pathways to the senior teams but he has absolved coaches from blame as they are always under pressure to deliver positive results which means being patient with youngsters is not possible.
“Most young players get the opportunity to play at the top stage together with their heroes and top players from each individual club and have the chance to showcase their talents but the coaches are scared to use those young players because they are thinking of results,” McCarthy told Soccer Laduma.
McCarthy decries obsession with results
“You know if you use the youngsters and win everyone will praise you but if you play them and lose, your job is at risk.
“So, because coaches want to keep their jobs, they are scared to use the youngsters and in turn, there is no development of players to take over from the older ones when they retire.
“It is not totally the coach’s fault because the club owners are the ones who demand results by all means and pay little attention to youth development by actually playing the youngsters.”
Despite the less emphasis on youth development, a number of young players have been given opportunities in senior teams in recent years with clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Cape Town City having multiple young players in the senior team.
