Mark Mayambela on showboating: ‘I stopped because…’
"Some players who I grew up looking up to were also showboating."
As the debate over showboating continues in SA football, former Orlando Pirates dribbling wizard Mark Mayambela has revealed what made him stop doing fancy tricks in the latter stages of his career.
Mayambela believes it is vital for SA football to embrace the local style that resonates with many supporters of the beautiful game in the country.
However, he stated that showboating should be done in a way that benefits a team.
The retired footballer was one of the players with the best dribbling abilities in the DStv Premiership during his days.
A video of Pirates DStv Diski Challenge team showboating went viral about two weeks ago, and it was meet with lot of criticism, with many calling it ‘unsporting behavior’.
Top PSL coaches like Gavin Hunt and Dylan Kerr also took to social media to slam showboating, with SuperSport United coach Hunt labelling it as ‘horrific’ to watch.
Pirates DDC coach Joseph Makhanya said he is not against showboating as it allows players to express themselves.
Although Mayambela is not against players using their skills, he says the act must be progressive – not showboating that doesn’t benefit the team.
“Personally, I am for players who are talented, highly technical, skillful, speedy and mobile,” Mayambela told FARPost.
“I remember also doing it [showboating] earlier in my career in the PSL. I did it because I saw it on TV before becoming a professional footballer.
“Some players who I grew up looking up to were also showboating. I later realised that as much as it’s nice for the crowd, doesn’t it benefit the team? Asked Mayambela.
HOW PLAYERS CAN USE THEIR SKILLS TO HELP THE TEAM
Mayambela went on to explain how skilful players can use their abilities in a more beneficial way for the club.
The 35-year featured in over 150 DStv Premiership matches with 12 goals and 15 assists to his name. He won two league titles with Pirates and two MTN titles with the Soweto giants.
“If you are a skilful player, drop the shoulder, eliminate defenders and score goals, then, I will applaud that,” he added.
“We also need to know that we develop these players for Bafana Bafana and top leagues in Europe.
“If we keep on encouraging showboating then it’s going to difficult to produce players who’ll help the national team.
“For me the knelling and putting the ball on the neck during the game I don’t think is appropriate.
“The kneeling on the ball is for township tournaments not the elite football,” Professor as he was famously known added.
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