Let’s face it, when it comes to sport and football in particular, it is very difficult to please everyone all the time.
As is the case with the compilation of the Western Cape Invitational team that is to feature in the Football 4 Humanity exhibition match against the Palestine National team at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday (11 February).
Instead of respecting and supporting the sacrifices and efforts made by the scouts in amassing a competitive squad on such short notice, some football fans and administrators chose to stir the pot and create dissension – truth be told it is not surprising as football fans are as fickle as they come.
It must be said that the current conversation on various social media platforms is not only distasteful but utterly disrespectful. Is it so difficult to – for once – look at the bigger picture and forget about personal preferences and agendas?
The Western Cape team was hand-picked by scouts such as Arreshaat Daniels (pictured right), Desmond Crowie (*pictured (left) and Zane Ryklief (pictured centred), who collectively have a wealth of experience in the local amateur football scene.
These guys have nothing to gain, nor does the player. Besides, all the clubs have been given the opportunity to forward recommendations but some did not respond. Furthermore, the trio of scouts have consulted with all the clubs and their respective coaches who have given their blessing on the squad selected. So why the uproar? Just because certain players from certain clubs were not selected.
Have a look at the Bafana Bafana squad. Is it representative of the Rainbow Nation? Certainly not! Are they competitive and making progress, yes!
The bottom line is to respect the decision of the coach (Hugo Broos) as he feels that the players selected are best suited for the national team and what he wants to achieve at the tournament.
So, why can’t the same approach be used for this one-off exhibition match? Out of the 18 Motsepe clubs that are active in the province, 14 are represented which needed some negotiating and convincing I can imagine – especially on such short notice and given the sensitivity of the opponents. Again, all clubs were consulted.
Bear in mind that the Motsepe League is run by Safa Western Cape and not Safa Cape Town. Needless to say, the synergy and relationship between these two entities leaves a lot to be desired – and there lies the problem.
Their inability and appetite to work closely together towards a common goal and to benefit the greater good is almost non-existent – but that is a conversation for another day.
The fact of the matter is that instead of throwing our full support behind the team selected, we prefer to rock the boat with comments that are completely unnecessary and uncalled for.
One can only imagine when the South African Invitational team gets selected for the Freedom Cup next week in the Athlone Stadium. Rest assured that a lot will be said about ‘why wasn’t he selected? Or why should he be the coach?
And then we wonder why very few positive strides are made inour football lanscape. Remember, this is not about the WC team and the players, but rather the Palestine national team who are gracing our shores to compete in a football match for humanity – all this while their family members are wiped out by Israel.
Let us for once put aside our differences and look at the bigger picture, embrace the historic occasion. Let us put our best foot forward and let football be the winner.
We have conquered apartheid and decades of oppression, so why can’t we galvanise as one for the great humanitarian cause?
