HOME > NEWS > JERMAINE JENAS PRAISES SOUTH AFRICA SOCCER STANDARD

Jermaine Jenas praises South Africa soccer standard

Jenas not surprised by SA level

Posted: 2011-07-22 13:38

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder says he is not in the least bit surprised by the level of football they have encountered during the 2011 Vodacom Challenge.

Going into tomorrow’s Final against Orlando Pirates at Coca-Cola Park, Spurs are yet to win a game, having lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the opening match in Polokwane, and then drawing with the Buccaneers at Mbombela Stadium.

Jenas, who was part of the Tottenham squad that toured this country in 2007, says the high level of play has not come as a surprise.

“I was here a few years ago and was surprised then how high the level was,” he says. “But this time I was not so surprised. There are some quality players in the League here. The players are comfortable on the ball and they don’t panic.”

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been equally impressed, especially with what Pirates produced in Mbombela.

“This tour has been fantastic preparation,” he says. “Both teams have been excellent, and Pirates the other night played football of the highest level. They made us work hard to stay in the game.

“I’m looking forward to another exciting game tomorrow, a skillful game, which will be a good showcase for football in South Africa.”

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@Ace: 2011-07-22 14:00

MaBuccaneer a coach cannot be judge after 1 game. I have my own reservations about the coach. I think he is influenced by the less experienced Tebogo Moloi. Playing possession football is the good start but there are rules. First you cannot defend too deep (Our Middle fielders and defenders are not pressing high and hence the next point). 2nd you must press immediate after losing the ball to avoid a long ball (Our Attackers are not doing this quick enough). 3rd you need a skillful defensive middle fielder (with confidence on the ball- This is Jali) and offensive middle fielder(s)(I dont think Manyisa and Manyambela have the qualities) and an intelligent second striker(I dont see Klate or Juju playing this role) to benefit on counter attack. 4th because you don’t have a target man your no1 striker must be able to make diagonal runs to your flanks and must have a killer instinct inside the box (It will be to much to ask for Drogba - Ndulula). 5th at least one of your left back or right back must be able to attach and have a terrific first touch and a killer final pass(Maybe Jele but he lacks the final pass). Your two central defenders must be ball players (Sangweni and Lekgwathi are only good at wining the ball and kicking it away) and your goalkepeer must be excellent in organizing, anticipation and confident in passing (Senzo lacks anticipation and confidence).In my opinion the only player which fits this pattern is Jali. If we want to benefit from total football we need to have a 8 year plan coupled with development. The current approach I don’t see it becoming sustainable. One Champions league lose, either the coach will go or we will have to go back to Krol's style of play and that will be a disaster. But time will tell I may be proven wrong.

@Ace: 2011-07-22 14:22

I think English football is somehow over-rated. To prove my point How many of the players currently playing in England participated in the World cup finals. The English National team with all the local based players where unable to make the knockout stage. Their perfomance has been continually dismal. I dont understand how their leugue can be dominsted by a team like Machester United with average players and predictable football. They have no shame to subject our player to 3 months trials with their skop and donoor type of football.

@Ace: 2011-07-22 14:25

I think English football is somehow over-rated. To prove my point How many of the players currently playing in England participated in the World cup finals. The English National team with all the local based players could not reach the quarter finals of the 2010 world cup (beaten 4-1 by Germany). Their performance has been consistently dismal. I don’t understand how their league can be dominated by a team like Manchester United with average players and predictable football. They have no shame to subject our player to 3 months trials with their skop and doner type of football.

Mageba: 2011-07-22 14:25

Bra Ace, I like your comment. It shows that you are more of a soccer fan than a Bucaneer, lol. But I want you to take your time and look at Sangweni. I'm Khosi fan but I like good football. I think Sangweni can do better/ has done better before, on what you want. I have already noticed that he is more comfortable when playing with Johannes. That boy is originally a defensive midfielder not a defender, so he can do better on what you suggested. One more thing I think most coaches lack is to understand what your player can do before fielding him (capability).

Mk : 2011-07-22 14:41

I think the technical team know all n more of wat ace is saying.

Motlokoa : 2011-07-22 15:46

Then abo bro Zeb wil have somthing negative to while the spurs players n coachin staff are impressed with the Galaxy of stars,,,,,,,,it was high time the world take notice once again of this Mighty club.

Keep talkin for the sake of it,we won the Treble last season while u were moto mouthing n w r goin to cause more havoc till nike design u a better jersy thn this kaak u wearing.

Fill in the missin words retards,,,,

Tsipa tse ntsho,,,,,,,,,,,,?
Shaya bhakaniya,,,,,,,,,?
Betha bhakajuju,,,,,,,,,,?

One more time morons Tsipa tse ntsho.............?

With a low Tsipa!!!!!,,,,gud boys my girls,,,,,,,,,,,kakakakakakaka

Champ "Superbrand": 2011-07-22 16:07

and Pirates the other night played football of the highest level. They made us work hard to stay in the game.

Eish!! This will spite the Zebras.

Champ "Superbrand": 2011-07-22 16:09

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been equally impressed, especially with what Pirates produced in Mbombela.

Eish coach, the Zebras dont like everytime you mention the mighty Buccerneers.

Zwe: 2011-07-22 16:10

Good points Ace, but this is SA, we may not have the human resource of that quality.

The Ghost: 2011-07-22 16:14

I think Ace raises some very good points.

Thabo: 2011-07-22 16:15

@Ace- Thanks for watching football with an acute eye. Something the tried, tested and know-it-all foreign legion coaches piling the Absa Premier League must learn and know by heart.

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that all the players within the Absa Premiership clubs lack tactical awareness, an aspect I believe can only be fixed by our so called inexperienced local coaches.

I'm a Chiefs supporter, but I can see that Teboho Moloi's influence is slowly rubbing off the Pirates' squad. There's no better way to instill that winning mentality to Ur players than bringing back a proven winning legend to the fold of the first team.

However, it is critical to keep the shape and discipline of the team. Building on top of what successful coach left behind is a tyranosaurusrex of a task and this is exactly what Julio Leal is facing. Having to make Total-Football and Samba work for U on the pitch requires wisdom from the deepest of depths.

The same goes for Chiefs' One Dimensional and Predictable passage of play. In all truth, the Absa PSL is a apparition competition, more so that we put more trust on what is not ours' and until we throw-back the delusions we apraise every week, we will Ape-along until King-Kong gives us a wake-up call.


For the Revolt of SA Diski...

david sbk : 2011-07-22 18:02

I'm happy to hear that english people do praise SA FOOTBALL, atleast they have a clear picture of our football and its good to mix teams from different countries to participate in a cup competition, because we are now able to rate the standard of countrie's football.

Asanda Theo Mnyungula : 2011-07-22 19:01

The quality of S.A football is quickly matching the standard of EPL,Laliga and other leages above us bt we need 2 be tectical decipline,Develope better development program,Avail a reserve leage,Decrease the cup competions(@specialy Telkom knockout) and increase the number of teams to 20

Mpimpi: 2011-07-22 19:50

@Ace, you made very good points really, it has been my sentiments as well. The worrying factor again for me is this showboating, i hope it was a factor in this Tournament only maybe to scare the overrated English players. There is no place for that in the attempt for the league title defence. I am quite happy with Sangweni so far and as for other new signings,it remains to be seen how they fit in the whole Pirates set up. The plus for them is that there is a new coach at the club which put them on the same footing as all else, i suppose. But there are other issues like the culture in the Bucaneer's camp and so on...I would also like to see Moneeb Josephs getting some run, I thought Senzo lacked confidence at times. It maybe the matter of fitness, but he has a lot to learn still...on the right track too. Thanks Ace for a sober ****ysis...I fully concur, my Boss!!

stranger : 2011-07-22 19:51

lets not fool ourselves into believing that south african football is anywhere near the standard epl,that why our boys have difficulty adopting,its given that they will compliment s.a soccer because they are in s.a safety precautions.

Mk : 2011-07-22 20:04

Gud points my foot. Enjoy futbal n live coaching 2 coaches.

L.V.K: 2011-07-23 07:02

I always favour possession football, but sometime pirates players seem to be slow in making a decision with the ball. they always seem to lack that quality first touch so now it takes two more touches to bring the ball other control. Take Barca for instance, they play possession football but a player doesnt take too much time with a ball. Usualy in Mzansi a player doesnt know wat to do with the ball until he recieves it, I feel like they need to make a decision before they receive a ball so that we can play a quick posession football. To our defense and goal keeper please dont clear the ball to no man's land even if we are not under sever pressure because you will be just giving the possession a away.

amakhosi  : 2011-07-23 12:51

spurz 4 bucz 0

Matthews : 2011-07-23 17:54

Am an orlando pirates fan am not feeling bad abt today game it teachers us some thing once a pirate always a pirate