PLAYER PERSPECTIVE: SHUAIB WALTERS Follow on Twitter
This week I would like to talk about three topics that have kept me quite busy this past week.
Our pre- season is currently in the third week of training. We recently had our first test, a friendly match against Bidvest Wits in Stellenbosch.
As you’d expect from the first game of preseason, I think a lot of players -myself included-looked a tad bit rusty out there albeit some positives. It was also nice seeing our new teammates in action for the first time.
Teko Modise is a phenomenal player with outstanding vision going forward. I think he will love playing a little bit deeper with age no longer in his favour, like me (hahaha).
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I believe he will fit into our system because we are a team that plays with two central-midfielders and he has those qualities. And going forward too, he will offer us that cover, intelligence and experience so he is a fantastic addition to the squad.
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Ayanda Patosi did well in Belgium and I think he will fill in that role that was left by Bongolethu Jayiya's departure. His vision, speed and skill are a bonus for us and with the unfortunate event of Aubrey Ngoma’s injury, it is great that the coach still has a selection headache because Ayanda is there. Lyle Lakay is equally good too and there is still Sibusiso Masina. I believe we are definitely one of the top attacking sides in the country now.
These last few weeks have also been abuzz with news of transfers and recruiting of new players. Having seen and played against Wits, I think they’ve made some remarkable additions. Steven Pienaar and Daylan Claason are the cream of the crop and I’m glad we definitely won’t be seeing them play long ball percentage football anymore (hahaha).
I recently came across a tweet from Mr Mushin Etugral himself.
He said, “It’s terrible when I see transfers are made and certain talented players are rejected because of computer stats. The qualities of technique and vision are not detectable by computer.”
I absolutely agree 100% with him. A player should not be signed based purely on stats. This is another trend with transfers that to me is unfounded like the ridiculous values of players as their worth cannot be justified. I mean, Manchester United spent over 200 million euros last season on new players, yet they couldn’t even make the top four in the Premier.
Certain players on stats will do well at certain clubs but if you go to a different structure, the case may be different. But that does not take away your quality.
This has been proven, look at Fernando Torres at Liverpool and compare to how he performed at Chelsea. Alvaro Morata did not do much for Real Madrid but will you dispute his quality?
Lebo Manyama, SuperSport United broke the bank to bring him over from Ajax Cape Town but he almost faded away, look at him now. Sibusio Vilakazi is a fantastic footballer, but where is he at Sundowns?
Benni McCarthy backs Manyama to improve this season
And in closing, in this Nelson Mandela week, I have been fortunate to have partnered with Apex Soccer School.
The school aims to help the underprivileged kids with dreams of becoming footballers and is steered by the amazing Ruan Meyer who is a talented and passionate young man. His passion for wanting to coach soccer to kids is inspiring and this week the school visited Alpha Primary School Durbanville and Durbanville Children's Home for the 67-minutes for Madiba course which was a touching experience.
The most touching experience for me was when one of the kids at school said, "I want to be a soccer player." When I asked why he said, “my ma is a beehive" [homeless]" en ek wil nie a bergie weed nie [I don't want to be a beehive].”
I am a professional today and this was a dream just like it is for this boy. What I also found most inspiring in this story is that there are kids that realise they do not have to follow in their parent’s behaviour, even though it is all they know.
I am humbled to be a part of this journey with Apex and I will keep these kids in my prayers.
I also take my hat off to the amazing sponsors, McDonalds, Silvercreek Spur, Multi Pullets, Unique Paint Worx, Focus Zone, Body Fuel Express, SimSport International, Fox in the Box Group, MLK Tours, Mike’s Sports and Majohi Consultants, and everyone involved in changing children's lives.
The tale didn’t end there as my club had also arranged a wonderful event for underprivileged children and us players got to spend some time kicking the ball on the fields at five for five in Century city, which everyone enjoyed immensely.
Till next week!
This column is brought to you by Lotto Sports Apparel
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