The former Cape Town City midfielder Duncan Adonis (pictured) says he is still assessing his options for next season but by the looks of it, a return to FC Hout Bay will not be on the cards.
The 24-year-old well-travelled player raised a few eyebrows last season when he dropped down to the lower tiers to ply his trade with FC Hout Bay in the Third Division of Safa Cape Town.
Unfortunately for Adonis he could not assist the coastal team from being relegated to LFA football next year.
“It was a tough season as I came in the second half of the season as they were already laying down there,” Adonis told No Bones with Jones. “But still I believed in them that they could come out of there but unfortunately it didn’t happen. I believe God has better plans for us in the near future ahead. It was a lesson for all of us to learn and it even humbled us more,” said Adonis.
Adonis, who has spent the most part of his career thus far within pro or semi-pro structures with Ubuntu FC and Cape Umoya amongst others, emphasized that one of the key differences between the professional and amateur levels, is not just the financial disparity but also the level of officiating.
Adonis, a former national u-20 player, explained: “To be honest also our refs can improve in the lower leagues because they spoil a lot of good games and it’s obvious we can see it, but we don’t want to sound like one of those teams this is coming along time on about the refs in the Lower leagues.
“That is a problem to be honest. I don’t think I will play or coach in that league again. I don’t see myself in that league to be honest going into the future.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me as there aren’t so many opportunities anymore in cape town,” he further explained. “I believe you must definitely go to Joburg to make it. “I also believe the ‘Under-ule’ is killing our football in SA.
“The MDC is already under 23 and yet in the lower leagues we must play with unders. I don’t see the reason why that must be second and third divisions.
“I understand in the First Division, yes, that’s different but I mean come on we can improve our SA football like how it was those times where the second division was tough and there were a lot more opportunities because teams were going to NFD regularly and this isn’t only in Cape Town that is happening.
“For example in CT we have two PSL teams, one NFD team now and to be honest us South African footballers’ careers we’re mature on the field when we are 23 years 24 or 25 for example. Look at Teko Modisi, he made it when he was 25.
“These days coaches say if you are 25 years old, you are too old. They rather prefer under players that they can work with, that’s where the difference comes in.
“The tricky part for us players I believe is that players over the under-23 rule is suffering from opportunities – especially here in Cape Town where everyone knows everyone and in there lies the problem,” Adonis concluded.
