The growing significance of the Metropolitan Premier Cup as a major factor in South African football was further emphasised when National Under-20 interim coach Maqsood Chenia drafted six players participating in the 2010 event directly into his Amajita squad for the upcoming Four Nations tournament involving Brazil, Ghana and Nigeria that kicks off on Thursday at Newlands Stadium.
Chenia, attending the tournament for the first time, was suitably impressed with the talent on show and had no hesitation in inviting the youngsters to join his camp immediately. They are: Mbusi Manyoni, Damian Michel (Supersport), Yazeed Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Lerato Manzini (Harmony Academy), Eugene Molepo (Highlands Park) and Riaan Eugene (Santos).
Chenia said, “ It’s the first time I have seen these guys play and I was pleasantly surprised at the wealth of natural talent displayed on the pitch. This tournament provides a wide base from which to assess players eligible for Under-20 competition. The boys are well coached and have shown that they understand instructions in the way they go out and execute them.
“At national level, it’s not so much about coaching as managing personalities and fine-tuning the details. Issues of fitness and conditioning are the responsibility of their clubs because the tempo of international football is that much higher and a player needs to be fit when he reports for camp. These guys are in good shape.
“Metropolitan deserve great credit for playing a vital role in the development of football in South Africa creating a platform from which talent can be recognised and nurtured.
“I identified nine individuals that I wanted to select but had to reduce it to six due to space constraints. As for the rest, they must continue to knock on the door and a situation will arise - like this one - when it will open. What a time to give these boys an opportunity. Today they are representing their clubs, tomorrow their nation.”
Nkosinathi Chonco, Metropolitan Group Executive, added, “For many years the Metropolitan Premier Cup has been recognised as the breeding ground for soccer champions at development level. This year has seen the most tangible manifestation of that aspiration with the direct advancement of players from the tournament straight into the national set-up. It is a clear illustration of the rewards gleaned through hard work and dedication and serves as an inspiration to others who hope to follow in their footsteps.
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