South Africa's Lerato Chabangu: A bittersweet story

“The paradoxical nature of Chabangu’s touching story sheds some life lessons that particularly football players can all adopt or be mindful of. On one hand, it is the perfect epitome of the serious challenges faced by players with regards to various aspects such as financial education.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Former Bafana Bafana player Lerato Chabangu feels that he can get back on to the football pitch and play professionally once more. The former SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Chippa United striker, who has also played for Bafana Bafana in his career, has recently been signed by Baberwa FC in the ABC Motsepe League. Chabangu penned down a six-month deal with the side and is hoping he can revive his career.

Chabangu’s resurgence comes after a long spell off the field that was characterized by a plethora of struggles the player went through. These included excessive indulgence in alcohol, as well as uncontrollable reckless financial spending. Speaking in an interview in late 2018, Chabangu confessed saying, “I do feel like I’m depressed. I comfort myself by watching TV. I disappointed lots of people. I was found in a wrong space, most of my friends were living in the township. I could say that I have destroyed myself, I can’t really blame others. If you are at the wrong space, the negative things will catch you.”

Lerato Chabangu of Tshwane XI and Gennaro Gattuso of Italy during the friendly match between Italy and Tshwane XI at Super Stadium on June 12, 2009 in Atteridgeville, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images) * Local Caption * Gennaro Gattuso;Lerato Chabangu

(June 12, 2009 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

But perhaps what is more interesting is how Chabangu rose to stardom and made him one of the greatest players South Africa has ever seen. At some point he was even linked with heavy interest from European teams. However, lack of financial discipline and professional discipline proved to be a setback in Chabangu’s once glamourous career. Then he hit rock bottom. The stories that broke thereafter were rather sad considering the immense talent this player possesses. Chabangu conceded that reckless spending and lack of financial discipline got him into many problems such as booze and spending money on women.

The paradoxical nature of Chabangu’s touching story sheds some life lessons that particularly football players can all adopt or be mindful of. On one hand it is the perfect epitome of the serious challenges faced by players with regards to various aspects such as financial education. Often times than not, teams only pay salaries to their players and distance themselves from what happens to the players when they reach retirement. This means that the onus is on the players to take charge of their finances after retirement, but, especially from an African context, one finds that footballers lack knowledge and expertise on how best they can get the most of their money whilst they are still playing.

Stories like Chabangu’s therefore pose a challenge to players as well as clubs themselves to do more with regards to collaboration and helping players plan for life after football as early as when they start playing. By so doing, this will help avoid situations whereby players struggle and eventually enter dire situations like Chabangu did. What’s your take on financial discipline in footballers? Should clubs do more?

2019 AFCON: Host nation conundrum, a concerning sight?

Benjamin Moukandjo and Pierre Webo of Cameroon wait to kick off after a goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Cameroon and Croatia at Arena Amazonia on June 18, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil.

(June 17, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images South America)

As African football wraps up the year, there couldn’t be a worse cloud than that of the AFCON 2019 event. At the beginning of December news broke about changes to the hosting country of the AFCON 2019 tournament. Cameroon, the initial hosting nation were stripped of the right to host the competition after security issues were cited as a leading factor to the unanimous decision agreed by the CAF executive committee during a meeting held in Ghana. Quite concerning if you ask me.

CAF stripped Cameroon of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament rights mainly because of security concerns hovering over the country. These include the horrific event that took place in 2010 in Cameroon, where a number of players were attacked by rebels from Angola, aside from the delays in infrastructure preparations, confederation President Ahmad Ahmad disclosed. To refresh the reader’s memory, gunmen attacked a bus transporting the Togolese national team to the 2010 AFCON in Angola, killing three people and wounding many others. As such, CAF alluded that they do not want a repeat of a similar situation, taking into account the political riots currently faced by Cameroon, which includes the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the country.

With all this in mind, one can't help but ponder a question as to whether CAF rather leave it too late before acting on this. Did they not see it when the hosting decision was made? I raise these questions because a lot of investments have gone into the preparations leading up to hosting the tournament in Cameroon, and to leave it up to the last minute before taking a stand is quite a cause for concern.

Democratic Republic of the Congo supporters arrive to attend the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Togo and DR Congo in Port-Gentil on January 24, 2017. / AFP / Justin TALLIS

(Jan. 23, 2017 - Source: AFP)

Now at the back of such disappointing news, South Africa have been approached to assist in taking up the offer of hosting the event which literally kicks off in mid-June. Hosting the AFCON would obviously mean Bafana book their spot in the 24-team competition automatically, taking pressure off coach Stuart Baxter who has had a not so convincing qualifying campaign despite remaining unbeaten.

Above all, Cameroon's failure to host the AFCON 2019 leaves a lot to be desired in terms of Africa’s readiness to not only host tournaments such as the AFCON tourney, but also some of the world’s biggest sporting events. Moreover, it also raises questions pertaining the ability of those in power on whether or not they are capable of driving the ship if such problems are still reacted upon and rather not proactively resolved. The final decision is expected to be made early January according to CAF. What do you make of the AFCON 2019 hosting dilemma?

“With all this in mind, one can’t help but ponder a question as to whether CAF rather leave it too late before acting on this. Did they not see it when the hosting decision was made? ”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Thulani Serero’s Return to the Bafana Squad. Hit or Miss?

Context

Call it confidence or knowing your worth. Thulani Serero was quoted saying, “The sofa in Arnhem[city in Netherlands] is more comfortable than the South African bench”. This was when the player was making it quite clear that he would not avail himself for training unless he is guaranteed game time. Because of that stance, the South African Football Association (SAFA) then posed a ban on the player. However, Serero has had the ban lifted and is being recalled to the South African national team set up. Does this set good precedence for other players? Even before we decide on that, let us look on who exactly Thulani Serero is.

“For them to be told that they could only interact with the player at training, if they would only step aside and let him shine on the field of play suggests that he considered himself far more important than they are.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

Player

Thulani Serero (#25) of Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona at Amsterdam Arena on November 26, 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

(Nov. 25, 2013 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

Thulani Serero is a midfielder who plays for Vitesse (a Dutch professional football team) and of course the same position for the South African national team. Prior to this, he was gracing the pitch with an Ajax Cape Town jersey in the South African Premier Soccer League. During the 2010-2011 season, he carried his team to the the finals of the Telkom Knockout tournament. In the same year, he was awarded PSL Footballer of the Year, PSL Player of the Season, PSL Players' Player of the Season and the ABSA Premiership Red Hot Young Player award. Sounds familiar right? Yes, Tau recently had some sort of similar accolades before moving to Brighton in the English Premier League.

Apology

Some South Africans believe that what the player did was disrespectful and he owes the nation an apology. They believe that the comments undermined the authority of the coach also proving Serero’s arrogance towards his teammates and the nation. Most importantly, further comments about his Bafana teammates aggravated the situation. For them to be told that they could only interact with the player at training, if they would only step aside and let him shine on the field of play suggests that he considered himself far more important than they are. How easy is it going to be for the Dutch based player to integrate into the team after he previously exalted himself to that extent? The move to have Thulani player back on the field in South African colors in the absence of a formal apology could be a definite miss.

Desperate times

Thulani Serero of South Africa controls the ball during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Brazil at FNB Stadium on March 05, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(March 4, 2014 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Looking at the time at which the 28-year-old is being called up makes one realize that having him back might be the best move because a lot is at stake. The country is going into matchday 5 of the 6 qualifiers that determine who lands a finals spot at the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon. They are set to face the Super Eagles (Nigerian national team) in a top of the table group E clash. Looking at the track record of the Super Eagles who have have 9 points (1 point ahead of South Africa), Bafana Bafana cannot afford to hold back from having some of its superstars on the pitch due to a misunderstanding. For the sake of having the country participate in the AFCON, it is quite important for this move to be considered not as the best hit, but as a necessary hit. Talk about the end justifying the means.

Conclusion

We can never fully emphasise that soccer is really beyond the game itself, but about how it influences other aspects of life like our personality. One thing for sure that Thulani could have done was to demonstrate a bit of respect for his teammates and country, even when he was not afforded any game time. Being on the bench does not make anyone less of a player, but it can be considered as a time to learn. However, past mistakes should not deter us from seeing the good in our teammates so perhaps its in order for Bafana to shout Siyakwamukela (welcome) Thulani!

Benni Mccarthy: From super player to super coach

Edwin van der Sar of Manchester United shares a laugh with Benni McCarthy of Blackburn after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on October 31, 2009 in Manchester, England.

(Oct. 30, 2009 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Recent changes in football have seen an increasing trend of former players venturing into management after hanging up their boots. For some, things have worked out well while on the other hand, the same can’t be said for others. Nonetheless, zooming into our very own continent we recently witnessed one of the greatest players to ever come out from South Africa lifting his first ever cup as coach. This is none other than Benni “18 area” Mccarthy. The Cape Town born former Orlando Pirates striker led his team FC Cape Town to glory in the recently ended MTN 8 cup competition. FC Cape Town beat Supersport United 4-1 on penalties to claim the richest cup tournament in the continent cruising all the way to the bank with an 8 million rand cheque ( USD 540 000), quite a historical moment for Benni in only just his second season as a coach.

“Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most South African football fanatics would say.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Benni McCarthy of West Ham Unitedspeaks to team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at the Boleyn Ground on August 21, 2010 in London, England.

(Aug. 20, 2010 - Source: Phil Cole/Getty Images Europe)

His journey as coach has been an encouraging one I must say. Leading his team to the top 5 in the 2017/2018 season was quite an achievement for someone who was being thrown in the deep end of the very volatile coaching job. Mind you, he also happened to be the manager when FC Cape Town lost to the very same Supersport United last season, so this was more like revenge being served at its very best by Benni and company. In his two year stay at the club, Benni has certainly improved both his side as well as himself in the process. FC Cape Town have become an organised side that many teams find hard to break down due to how well they are organised. Moreover, Mccarthy himself has learnt a great deal as a young

coach, making a lot of mistakes while also making a lot of positive strides while at the helm of the team. All that has enabled the 40-year-old Mccarthy and his team to finally clinch a cup and open up the club’s trophy cabinet to introduce their first ever trophy with the hope for more silverware in the future.  Benni has achieved what only few have been able to by winning this cup. With a glamorous football career which saw him lift the UEFA Champions League with Jose Mourinho during their time at Portugues giants FC Porto, an equally glamorous coaching career is dawning.

With one cup in the bag, many will agree that the stakes are now even higher for Benni and consistency is key if he is to engrave his name as one of the best local coaches in South Africa. Whether or not he can go on to win the league with his team, is a story for another day. But rest assured, the former Blackburn Rovers marksman certainly has the right attitude which will help him develop faster and become a better coach. Many have even earmarked him as a future Bafana Bafana (the South African men’s national team) coach and I would totally approve of that  idea. Mind you, Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most South African football fanatics would say. Either way, Benni’s maiden trophy as coach might just be the right tonic to propel him to be counted amongst some of the best local coaches in South Africa (provided he stays consistent and doesn’t get the sack).

Benni McCarthy and Tanaka Marcus in action durng the International friendly match between South Africa and Japan at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

(Nov. 13, 2009 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

At Home: Itumeleng Khune

The South African veteran goalkeeper has described his trade as similar to wine, good wine. At 30 years of age, he has already appeared 300 times for Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs and is a certainty on the Bafana Bafana team sheet. Khune has become an influential figure in the South African football, well known for his vocal abilities in goal, out of this world shot stops and seamless ball distribution. The South African nation will are definitely delighted to know that he still has a few more years of service and will just get better. This is what he had to say to the Amakhosi (Kaizer Chiefs) website:

"With age, my body strength is slowly regressing, but I am able to read situations much faster and, as a result, close down situations before they become dangerous.

Goalkeeping is like good wine, the older the better. I am still hungry for more success and want to win more trophies,"