Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder Stanton Fredericks has explained what the current generation of SA players lack.
Stanton Fredericks played during a time where SA was exporting footballers to big European leagues regularly.
The retired footballer went to play abroad at a tender age of 23 when he joined Swiss side Grasshopper. He also featured for several teams overseas, including FC Moscow.
According to Fredericks, playing abroad has the benefit of helping players improve their game for many reasons. The leagues there are very competitive, with many players from different countries. Therefore, there is stiff competition.
Speaking from experience, Fredericks himself had an opportunity to go play in Europe after he was spotted and scouted playing in the junior national team.
REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL TEAM AT JUNIOR LEVELS
Fredericks says youngsters should represent the national teams at junior levels. This, in turn will help to get scouted easily.
“There’s something lacking, and we had it. When I say we, it’s myself, Benni McCarthy and that generation. I played for the U-20 and U-23 national teams. That opportunity for playing for junior national teams it’s where you get scouted internationally,” said Fredericks.
“I really believe junior international teams is the opportunity for players to do that. I was a bit fortunate at the junior national team and I was given the opportunity to go to my first overseas club in Switzerland. That was because of the national team.
“That’s where the agent can comes in and represent you on international level. But going from playing for a smaller team in South Africa to Europe, it’s not easy.”
PLAYING CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL AT CLUB LEVEL
Fredericks went on to state another way youngsters can use to go play overseas, that’s through club football.
“Another opportunity [of playing overseas] is when you playing continental football. Scouts could possibly see [a player].
“Geographically, it is not easy to come to South Africa, that’s something I know,” he added.
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