Playing abroad a step too far for our young talent

Dreams of soccer superstardom crushed on the no-excuses playing fields of Europe

THE dream of another South African youngster appears set to be deferred. After making his mark in the SA under-12 team that won the 2002 Danone World Cup, the oke from Odendaalsrus in the Free State seemed destined to be a star.

Kamohelo Mokotjo's pursuit of soccer superstardom was set in motion when he continued to show promise at the Rotterdam Feyenoord-SuperSport United Academy. His immense potential saw him promoted to the United first team in 2008. That was a stepping stone to a bigger stage, the Dutch Eredivisie, as Feyenoord came calling in 2009 with a reported à500000 transfer fee.

From Odendaalsrus to Holland - outstanding stuff. Not only was Mokotjo's dream alive, he was living it. There was no doubt about his talent as an offensive or defensive midfielder. But aware that talent alone is never enough, he toiled hard and reaped the rewards when he graduated to the Feyenoord first team in 2009.

He was loaned to Excelsior and after 25 appearances, recalled to Feyenoord last year. This week, however, news emerged that the 20-year-old's future at the Ronald Koeman-coached club is hanging by a thread.

His contract ends in June and Feyenoord have cast doubt on his continued presence on their books. If they off-load him and another overseas club doesn't sign him, Mokotjo will head back home.

Should that transpire, he will join a long list of our players hailed as the brightest prospects but who have failed to capitalise on their immense potential. Ditto Kermit Erasmus, once rated one of the top 50 youngsters in the world. Stanton Lewis suffered a similar fate, as did Elrio van Heerden and Bryce Moon. Michael Nkambule returned from France a few years ago only to struggle to get game time at Kaizer Chiefs.

Today he drives his own taxi in Daveyton and, though he may be a skilful driver, I would have much preferred that he display his dazzling skills as a soccer player. Why? Because he is only 23, dammit!

While South Africans struggle to shine in Europe, the irony is that non-local youngsters who leave the PSL to prosper, hit the ground running in their overseas ventures.

Siaka Tiene slotted easily into the Paris Saint Germain set-up after leaving Sundowns; Ajax Cape Town's Enoh Eyong became a regular at Ajax Amsterdam, where he is helping shining star Thulani Serero settle; and Knowledge Musona is steadily forging ahead at Hoffenheim in Germany.

It is not all doom and gloom, though. May Mahlangu is making hay while the sun shines in Sweden, and Arsenal have shown interest in the 20-year-old, who helped Helsingborgs to a Super Cup and league double.

But that move is set to be scuppered by his lack of international caps, a requirement for obtaining a work permit in England. Those who watched Chelsea against Liege know that in Anele Ngcongca, South Africa have a sturdy defender with a cool head.

The 24-year-old rightback is versatility personified, being at home in central midfield and outstanding playing out of position at leftback, where he snuffed Nicholas Anelka out of the game in a recent Champions League clash.

Perhaps it is in the attitude. A player in camp in Morocco with the under-23s has been tweeting up a storm, revealing what a twit he is. He went on about how stinky Morocco is and how, because of the unbearable stench, he missed home.

Where is this player's mind? On sweating blood in a bid to help SA qualify for the London Olympics, an event that could open up endless opportunities? He is from Soweto, a neighbourhood with sprawling, squalid squatter camps.