Every soccer player dreams of one day playing professionally but for most of those who took part in the ABC Motsepe playoffs in Buffalo City Metro this week, that dream will remain just that.
This is not because of a lack of talent or potential but because of their advanced age which put off the scouts from Absa Premiership and the National First Division.
Provincial champions from all nine provinces battled it out for two NFD spots from Monday. The two teams that gained promotion, Acornbush United of Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal champions Uthongathi will lock horns in the last game of the tournament at Buffalo City Stadium tomorrow at 3pm to decide the top third tier team in the country for the 2016/17 season.
While scouts were impressed with the talent on display, the majority of players failed to tick one crucial box – age.
Known for its good development structure, Ajax Cape Town were always going to be one of the teams that watched the playoffs with a keen eye.
Ajax chief scout Louis de Faria who discovered Benni McCarthy, Calvin Marlin, Moeneeb Joseph and Shaun Bartlett among other top players said they had a strict selection criteria.
"There is a lot of potential but we always look for a specific age. At this level players must be 17, 18, 19.
"I've got to be honest, maybe some people might not like what I'm about to say but I think we've got to put our house in order in this ABC Motsepe League.
"I wish there were many more people like Mr Patrice Motsepe, he does a lot for football.
"But I think they should restrict the age in this competition. Maybe they should make it U23s. Maybe the should make it U21s. Maybe teams be allowed three or four over age players. Maybe that's the way to go. That's my personal opinion," he told Saturday Dispatch.
De Faria said there was only one player they identified from all the nine teams.
He said they would not be signing any player that would only give them a season or two.
He made an example of Thato Mokeke, Lebohang Manyama and Khama Billiat whom Ajax signed when they were 19 years old.
"It took us two years to develop them to be where they are today. There's two or three players we've identified. One is 22 and he's got a slightly outside chance. There's another two, they're not bad but they need hard work," De Faria said.
Joining Ajax were scouts from fellow PSL outfit Chippa United and NFD sides Mthatha Bucks, Royal Eagles and Highlands Park.
Chippa coach Dan Malesela and his former assistant Mbuyiselo Sambu were spotted at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Thursday while Alan Freese of Eagles, Bucks coach Ian Palmer and Highlands Park's Les Grobler also looked for potential additions to their squads ahead of next season.
Helman Mkhalele and Calvin Petersen were part of the SA Football Association scouts selecting players that will play against Mamelodi Sundowns after tomorrow's final game.
Dream, dream, dream but not if you’re over 20
This is not because of a lack of talent or potential but because of their advanced age which put off the scouts from Absa Premiership and the National First Division.
Provincial champions from all nine provinces battled it out for two NFD spots from Monday. The two teams that gained promotion, Acornbush United of Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal champions Uthongathi will lock horns in the last game of the tournament at Buffalo City Stadium tomorrow at 3pm to decide the top third tier team in the country for the 2016/17 season.
While scouts were impressed with the talent on display, the majority of players failed to tick one crucial box – age.
Known for its good development structure, Ajax Cape Town were always going to be one of the teams that watched the playoffs with a keen eye.
Ajax chief scout Louis de Faria who discovered Benni McCarthy, Calvin Marlin, Moeneeb Joseph and Shaun Bartlett among other top players said they had a strict selection criteria.
"There is a lot of potential but we always look for a specific age. At this level players must be 17, 18, 19.
"I've got to be honest, maybe some people might not like what I'm about to say but I think we've got to put our house in order in this ABC Motsepe League.
"I wish there were many more people like Mr Patrice Motsepe, he does a lot for football.
"But I think they should restrict the age in this competition. Maybe they should make it U23s. Maybe the should make it U21s. Maybe teams be allowed three or four over age players. Maybe that's the way to go. That's my personal opinion," he told Saturday Dispatch.
De Faria said there was only one player they identified from all the nine teams.
He said they would not be signing any player that would only give them a season or two.
He made an example of Thato Mokeke, Lebohang Manyama and Khama Billiat whom Ajax signed when they were 19 years old.
"It took us two years to develop them to be where they are today. There's two or three players we've identified. One is 22 and he's got a slightly outside chance. There's another two, they're not bad but they need hard work," De Faria said.
Joining Ajax were scouts from fellow PSL outfit Chippa United and NFD sides Mthatha Bucks, Royal Eagles and Highlands Park.
Chippa coach Dan Malesela and his former assistant Mbuyiselo Sambu were spotted at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Thursday while Alan Freese of Eagles, Bucks coach Ian Palmer and Highlands Park's Les Grobler also looked for potential additions to their squads ahead of next season.
Helman Mkhalele and Calvin Petersen were part of the SA Football Association scouts selecting players that will play against Mamelodi Sundowns after tomorrow's final game.
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