“We have exciting development program for youth football”Kirsten N. SAFA president - Orange African Youth Championship 2011

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“We have exciting development program for youth football”Kirsten N. SAFA president

05-09-2011

“We have exciting development program for youth football”Kirsten N. SAFA president

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As the just concluded Orange CAN U-20 hosted by South Africa winds down, the South African Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani had a chat with cafonline.com

cafonline.com: What does hosting the Orange CAN U-20 mean to South Africa?

Kirsten Nematandani: Hosting this competition means a lot to us. It means taking the legacy of FIFA World Cup 2010 forward in terms of how we managed to host such as an event successfully. It also means that as part of CAF, the organization does recognize that we have what it takes to organize such events. Thirdly, positive in the sense that we begin to showcase what our country is made up of because these young stars will one day come back here to relive this part of history. It also means we begin to be part of the continent and be seen as a major role player as far as football development is concern. To us, it means an honor, a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to host.

cafonline.com: Off the pitch, how can you classify South Africa or its role in African football?

Kirsten Nematandani: South Africa is a major role player as far as football in the continent is concern. Football cannot be isolated in the political and economical atmosphere in a particular country. South Africa’s major role in the continent, economically and politically, should continue and that is how I characterize this country off the pitch. The fact that we just hosted the World Cup surely augurs well to say to the world that whenever there is a need, we shall be there. This country is our own but belongs to you too and to the continent.

cafonline.com: On the pitch, what can you say about South Africa?

Kirsten Nematandani: South Africa must go back to basics and put a lot of energy on these basics. Our team was eliminated earlier in the tournament and given another chance. They went out there but could not exert themselves in the best possible way when given such an opportunity. It therefore means, we have more work to do, go back to the drawing board. There are so many talents in this country, unfortunately most of our coaches duel around the 16 professional soccer league teams which does not give you dept.

cafonline.com: According to some observers, the South African team was one of the best that did not make it to the semis, do you share this view?

Kirsten Nematandani: I must say yes in terms of how they displayed their skills. But at the end of the day, it is not just about skills. However, they still have to go and do their homework well. They were hesitant in terms of elements of aggression when it comes to attack. It is not only ball possession. The aim of any game is to score goals. Your objectives can not be achieved with just playing entertaining football without scoring goals.

cafonline.com: What is South Africa’s development plan for youth football?

Kirsten Nematandani: We have exciting development program for youth football, starting with grassroots football which is in progress in our nine provinces and stretching throughout our 52 SAFA regions. This program was launched in May 2010. We are beginning to come up with what is called a 4-year cycle program: From U-12, we feed the U-13 league which feeds the U-17; the U-17 feeds the U-20; the U-20 feeds the U-23 and the U-23 eventually feeds the senior national team.

cafonline.com: What is the impact of the successful World Cup hosted by South Africa?

Kirsten Nematandani: It is very positive in the sense that it begins to say to South Africans, you are able, you are part of the world and you can walk tall when you are out there. It actually showcased what South Africa is made of. It also thought us that indeed, your biggest assets in any organization are people and how people react at different environment and situations. It has actually given us the impetus to say, if you want to achieve, you must invest in development. It is important to build relations with the continent and be proud as a country and also enhance the entire continent.

cafonline.com: What are the challenges you face as SAFA president?

Kirsten Nematandani: There are many challenges because football is a dynamic sport and every other person seems to know something about it. The excitement caused by the World Cup itself which result to people expecting nothing less than that standard is one challenge. Those challenges also bring issues of resources and raising such question as, do you have enough to match the standard of the World Cup? Surely, the issue of resources remains a continuous challenge for any federation including South Africa. Another challenge is high expectations from parents and children. They expect their kids to be world champions overnight, which is not always the case because it is a process. However, we are working hard on this.

Cafonline.com :What is your vision as SAFA president?

Kirsten Nematandani : My vision is very simple, to want to be the best in the continent and by that becoming number one in the continent, going forward.

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