South African football legend Teko Modise has shared his thoughts on why KZN-based clubs have been struggling in the PSL over the years.
Unlike in the past, when at least one or two of them would be in the chasing pack in the league or perhaps play a cup final, KZN clubs have been far from being competitive for over a decade.
There have been a few exciting times, but consistency has been one of the concerns.
The last time the province welcomed silverware was in 2009 when Golden Arrows hammered Ajax Cape Town 6-0 to hoist the MTN8 title.
The last team to play a cup final was AmaZulu FC in 2022 when they were overpowered by Orlando Pirates in their home yard at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Currently, all of the teams from KZN are within the bottom half of the DStv Premiership standings. The 15th-placed Richards Bay FC could be in danger of participating in the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs if they don’t turn the tables around soon.
Modise says bringing “rejects” from other clubs is one of the major causes of failures for the KZN clubs.
He believes going back to utilising local talent in the province with a blend of a few seasoned players that teams could sign, would be a solution.
TEKO MODISE SAYS KZN CLUBS SHOULD GO BACK TO UTILISING LOCAL TALENT
“I think it’s the ambition to be honest with you because look at the type of signings that the Durban teams do; they’re always signing players that are not playing somewhere else to come and play here,” said Modise.
“So, you never really have the core team that really wants to play. So, in essence, you’re taking rejects from other teams to come and play here.
“I don’t think that works for the teams. When Golden Arrows was Golden Arrows Abafana Bes’thende, they had players from here.
“There’s a lot of talent in Durban if you can go back to the rural areas in the communities and find players from Durban here. One thing is they’ve got a pride to play for Durban teams.
“So, you want players who have pride to play for these teams.
“And if that can be fixed…I’m not saying they shouldn’t sign players from other teams. But they should find balance. Other players from other teams shouldn’t overpower the players that are from Durban.”
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