Well-travelled DStv Premiership defender Clayton Daniels has pinpointed a key issue hindering the progress of many South African young footballers.
A seasoned campaigner with an impressive 18 seasons under his belt in the PSL, Daniels is a living testament to longevity in SA football. At 40, the centre-back continues to defy age and is determined to extend his playing career.
His journey has seen him don the jerseys of prominent clubs such as Ajax Cape Town [now Cape Town Spurs], Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, and Maritzburg United.
Each PSL season brings forth a new crop of talented youngsters eager to make their mark. Many of these promising players begin their footballing journeys in the developmental DStv Diski Challenge before graduating to the top flight. The past campaign was no exception, with several individuals shining brightly.
Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng, former SuperSport United winger Shandre Campbell, Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala, SuperSport United defender Ime Okon, Cape Town Spurs’ Luke Baartman, and Sekhukhune United’s Asekho Tiwani were among the young stars who caught the eye last season.
CLAYTON DANIELS SPEAKS ON SA YOUNGSTERS
Daniels believes that modern-day SA footballers lack the necessary work ethic, suggesting they find it too easy to give up when faced with challenges.
Daniels pointed out that today’s young players enjoy financial benefits early in their careers, with many earning enough to purchase cars and apartments. Additionally, they gain significant exposure through the DStv Diski Challenge.
“The problem with many SA youngsters of today is they give up so easily because everything is now easy for them,” Daniels told FARPost.
“They start at the DStv Diski Challenge, they can get it all; exposure, fame. Then, they feel like they have already made it. Already, they earn a certain amount of money, own a car, an apartment just after kicking the ball for about two to three years.
“In our generation, when we were young, we had to play for five to six years to get all these things.
“I want the boys of today to focus on their careers when things are difficult and never give up. They have the advantage that we didn’t have.”
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