DStv ekasi Champ of Champs tournament director Bheki Zondo has boldly claimed that PSL football has a European influence, explaining why that approach is bad news for SA.
Zondo strongly believes South Africa needs to return to its own culture of football in order for the beautiful game in the country to grow and for Bafana Bafana to become an African superpower again.
SA has been struggling to make a lasting impact internationally, with Bafana failing to qualify for major tournaments such as the World Cup and AFCON. Even at club level, PSL teams find it hard to win CAF inter-club competitions.
Zondo insisted that PSL and national teams must stop imitating Europeans in terms of style of play as the conservative approach at the highest level doesn’t benefit the country.
The ekasi director went as far as referring to the free-flowing style of football with skill and flair that was played during the Jomo Sono era, which is similar to Kasi football.
‘PSL FOOTBALL IS NOT TAKING US ANYWHERE’
“Those that play good football, where are they taking us? Where are we with their good football? Nowhere,” Zondo told FARPost.
The outspoken Zondo was speaking at the 2023 DStv ekasi Champ of Champs launch at Konka in Soweto.
“We have not been playing World Cups for years. We have not been playing AFCON for years, and we are not winning the Champions League at club level. Only [Mamelodi] Sundowns is doing well.
“We have employed and brought coaches from Europe to confuse us with their European influence, and we are still nowhere.
“Why can’t we resort to what we are naturally known for? The flair. We are not saying people must showboat or disrespect their opponents and other players. But flair is part of the game, so that’s what we are encouraging,” added Zondo.
‘KASI FOOTBALL HAS A FUTURE IN SA’
In addition, Zondo sent a message to Kasi football naysayers. He stated there is space for informal football in SA.
Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane is one of those who recently criticised the showboating antics witnessed in Kasi tournaments. Interestingly, Zwane is a Kasi football product.
“We are not saying to players, ‘Go out there and showboat’. But we are saying to skilful players, ‘Please show us what we are used to,’.
“This was done by Jomo Sono, Teenage Dladla and Partric Ace Ntsoelengoe and Ewert Nene. All of these players have done what the Kasi football guys are doing. But it is only that they are doing it at a different level, time and place. Maybe that is why people are saying what they are saying.
“Jomo used to climb on top of the ball, and no one said anything about it. Why are we saying something about what is happening today? It is not showboating; it is just what we are used to.
RELATED STORY: Themba Zwane weighs in on Kasi football trend
