I almost spilt my coffee when reading TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic’s comments about young Aphelele Teto.
Not so much the demotion to the DDC side but the coach’s scathing remarks about the youngster’s attitude.
I agree – 100 per cent – coaches need to discipline players, especially the young ones when they stray. That’s absolutely important.
In fact, I’ve often observed how coaches handle talented youngsters in their teams.
Young players are bound to make mistakes as they adapt to the rigours of the game at the senior team level.
If you ask Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, I’m sure he’s had to correct young Cassius Mailula several times. It may not be the same issue, but he’s probably had to give the boy tough love.
It must be the same for Arthur Zwane with Mdu Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane and Wandile Duba.
HOW ERIK TEN HAG HAS DEALT WITH GARNACHO
And it’s not just in Africa; in Europe, I’ve also observed how Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is managing Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho is the same age as Aphelele Teto and probably also thinks he is Ronaldo, just like the TS Galaxy starlet was sarcastically said to be thinking he’s Messi.
Therefore, one could draw into how Ten Hag has dealt with him since the start of the season.
The Argentine has not been without transgression. The talented teenager learned a harsh lesson on the pre-season tour when his tardiness for two team meetings deprived him of a kick from Bangkok to Perth via Melbourne.
United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag did not select Garnacho until the final friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, when Garnacho produced a crowd-pleasing performance.
Following his tour transgressions, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes said there had been “a real change in attitude” from Garnacho.
The boy is now among the first arrivals for training at Carrington, thanks to Ten Hag’s disciplinarian methods. He has been in sizzling form.
SEAD RAMOVIC SAYS APHELELE TETO THINKS HE’S MESSI
Now, let me return to Aphelele Teto, whom Sead Ramovic says “thinks he is Messi” after a few good performances.
There’s no problem taking the boy back to DDC to find himself, but there’s everything wrong with the way Sead Ramovic has gone about it publicly.
Ramovic is behaving like he’s too inexperienced to handle “a Messi”.
If the boy thinks he is Messi – well and good – that’s beautiful. It’s Ramovic’s job to help him manoeuvre and become Messi. It’s his job to show him how Messi got where he is – discipline being key.
It’s not the media’s or the public’s job to do so. It’s his. I don’t think coming out in the media and speaking the way he has done helps the youngster.
There’s no need to demoralise the youngster any further. He is already serving his punishment by playing in the second team.
The Teto remarks got me thinking of how Ramovic handled another young player Ethan Brooks.
Again, Ramovic was in the media saying Brooks had to show that he deserved to be in the national team.
I can only imagine what that does to the player’s confidence. Isn’t it enough to deal with the player internally without telling the media?
I never heard Ten Hag publicly berate Garnacho. Of course, journalists and football followers will put two and two together, but the player will always know he has the love and support of his coach.
That’s fatherly. Nonetheless, this is the price we pay as a nation for giving our precious jewels to novice coaches – local or foreign.
Perhaps we must start protecting our jewels while ensuring they stay on track to fulfil their true potential!
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