Eric Tinkler: Massive gap between PSL and Diski Challenge

Although Betway Premiership clubs have bought into the idea of giving academy players an opportunity in the first team, the former Bafana Bafana midfielder believes the gap between the two divisions is evident.  

Tinkler is of the opinion the DDC is overhyped. 

"Yes and no, kind of. I think the importance, a lot of people look to try to compare the DDC with the PSL, and in my view there's a massive gap," said Tinkler.

"But your scouting and development programme has to be a very strong programme in order for those players to progress."

With local transfer fees being pushed to exorbitant amounts, City and a few more of their rivals have opted to give youngsters a chance, and Tinkler admits a lot of them struggle following promotion. 

"It's not easy for the players to come from the DDC straight into the PSL, majority of the players I've found since [starting coaching]," he added.

"And I've been doing this a long, long time, I want to remind people I was running an academy at Wits for many, many years, so if anybody has experience on it, it's me.

"And sometimes players will surprise you – those you think are going to make it, don't make it; and those you think are not going to make it, all of a sudden, they make it."

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