Abundance of talent, but lack of competitive youth structures - the story of KZN football

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi and the club’s midfielder Thalente Mbatha both agree on this matter.

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Speaking to SABC Sport on the sidelines of the Pirates Cup this past weekend at the Marks Park grounds, Mbatha says KZN needs competitive youth structures to raise the standard of football in the province.

''I feel like KZN they are not as serious about football just like here in Johannesburg, it's less development structures and less proper teams. They only have Arrows, Royal Am and AmaZulu,'' said Mbatha.

Some of the best talent in football in the country, previously and today, has always come from KZN.

Talent in that part of the land has always been in abundance, but exceptional talent nowadays has been left to relocate to Gauteng in search of greener pastures as there are no organized and competitive quality structures in the province.

Mbatha, came to Gauteng to play for Highlands Park at the age of 18, coming from KwaMashu, and captures this statement well.

''In Durban I haven't heard of under-13,15,16,17. It's only DDC,SAB and Vodacom that are strong there, I feel like they should start development of under-13 upwards, so that people can learn football at a young age,'' added Mbatha.

Ncikazi knows too well about this topic, for the past two decades, he’s spent his time in the youth and senior structures of football in KZN scouting, and nurturing football talent.

He’s been to all corners of the provinces, the former Golden Arrows head coach was also in attendance at the Pirates Cup, he concurs that lack of good structures is a big challenge in KZN but equally lack of resources too.

''We do have raw talent in KZN, but we don't have we don't have structures that take talent to the next level, players have to go Gauteng to grow,'' said Ncikazi.

The abundance of talent from KZN was on full display in this tournament through the Midlands Wanderers Football Club who were only knocked out in the semi-finals on penalties. The Pirates Cup Player of the Tournament Mpendulo Phewa (17) also comes from Wanderers.

Ncikazi is urging the government in the province to assist football leaders to have solid development programs of strength vs strength like the powerful Gauteng Development League (GDL) where most PSL academies compete from U13, U15, U17, and U19.

A couple of exceptional players from Midlands Wanderers including Phewa, are set to sign with Pirates and be roped into their DDC team for next season.