Sukazi optimistic about overseas deals

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi is optimistic their current European mid-season tour will open the door for the club to do several deals abroad. 

The Rockets are in Turkey and taking advantage of the Premier Soccer League recess after arranging four friendly matches against Giresunspor (Turkey), Sampdoria (Italy), Al-Batin (Saudi Arabia) and Dynamo Dresden (Germany). 

Sukazi, a former football agent, believes he has given Galaxy players an opportunity of a lifetime by putting them on the world stage. 

“There are a number of them (clubs) that are around for their training camps. (Clubs) like AS Roma, I've seen Westerlo (Belgium), I've seen Livingston (FC) from Scotland, and Adana Demirspor (Turkey) I think you may know them (Mario) Balotelli once joined them from Manchester City they are also here. There are quite a number of clubs in addition to us, they'll be at our games, so may never know. If our boys really do apply themselves properly they could attract interest,” said Sukazi. 

Sukazi insists seeing more PSL players overseas is one way to address the decline of Bafana Bafana. South Africa last played in a FIFA World Cup when they hosted in 2010, and have failed to qualify for Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and missed out on the latest edition in Qatar. 

Sukazi believes that trend will continue as long as the bulk of the national squad consists of locally-based players. 

"The most strongest area of development in the African game is when players, in their numbers, play in Europe. This is why all countries that represented Africa in the World Cup - for example - their players play in Europe, and in serious leagues: the French League and the Serie A (Italy). 

We want that as South Africans. Why can't we have one player in the English Premiership, the French League, or Italy's Serie A, why? It makes no sense. And as long as it's like that, it'll take us a long time to qualify for a World Cup,” Sukazi opined. 

Furthermore, the chairman credited coach Sead Ramovic for being instrumental in the organisation of the trip to Turkey through his vast network in Europe.  And claimed the few scouts given access to the Galaxy training sessions are pleasantly surprised.