A youngster by the name of Wayne Rooney is the toast of the English premiership these days. The 17-year-old Evertonian has scored a couple of memorable goals in the past month — one, notably, that ended Arsenal’s long unbeaten run — but his manager, David Moyes, is resisting the temptation to allow Rooney to start a match. Instead he is cosseting the boy, bringing him on for only the last 20 minutes or so of a match and keeping him away from the media.
So how do local clubs deal with bright young talent?
Last year’s sensation, Jabu Pule, made a tearful public appearance this week after undergoing rehabilitation for a drug problem — and a couple of other Kaizer Chiefs youngsters admitted that they, too, had substance abuse problems.
A few seasons ago Steve Lekoelea joined Pirates and got to wear the famous number 10 jersey. Just when everyone thought this was a legend in the making the player’s on-field performances started to dwindle while his nightlife grabbed the headlines. His on-field ill discipline resulted in a broken leg and since returning from that injury he has failed to set the league alight despite sporadic appearances for his team.
Another young player with exceptional skills is Naughty Mokoena, who has faded into obscurity after a night out on the town at the World Cup in France saw him sent home before he had played a match.
Fortunately, these are the exceptions rather than the rule — but the unrelenting drive for results and the unsympathetic demands of the fans sometimes makes it difficult for a Premier Soccer League coach to adequately protect his young stars.
For their potential to be realised these young men need to be made aware of what can hinder their success. The high salaries they earn make several of them the main breadwinners of their families — putting great demands on them to succeed. The celebrity status of players at the bigger clubs can also send some of these boys overboard.
How clubs keep youngsters in check could make them or break them.
Ajax Cape Town coach Gordon Igesund says: ”I keep a strong hold on them and talk to them all the time about being professional and living the right life.” Igesund adds that there are no big names at the club and he treats all players equally. ”I do not tell them that they are great players and that I cannot do without them but tell them that they should work as a team and set an example for other youngsters.”
Pitso Mosimane, coach of Supersport United, also has several good youngsters in his care, such as Thando Mngomeni. He says: ”Football-wise, to keep the youngsters in check is easy, but outside football it is difficult.” Mosimane says Supersport management tries its best to ensure that the young players do not stay alone, but stay with a family.
They also invite the youngsters’ parents to see where their sons stay. Mosimane says there is no pressure for the youngsters to perform and he uses them sparingly as substitutes.
”The parents know exactly what their children earn. The club ensures they know everything about the youngsters — where their homes are, their girlfriends, who their friends are and where they hang out.”
This week Pule was visibly happy and glowing with self-esteem. ”I have now learned to deal with my problems instead of running away. I have learned to stand up for myself and I have learned to confront any person if I do not agree with what they say,” he said.
Kaizer Chiefs boss Kaizer Motaung commended Pule for confronting his problems. ”Our players are a key asset in our business and no big company would ignore its assets and hope to achieve its goals and objectives. We will go out of our way to assist our players with personal and social problems.”