Dylan Bettencourt
Pitso Mosimane, the renowned South African manager of Al Ahly, has questioned why there are so few white footballers playing in the DStv Premiership.
Mosimane said the amount of white players in the league has been decreasing in recent years, and he intends to do something about it.
The three-time CAF Champions League winner said the league needs to investigate this matter.
“Why are white boys not playing football in the PSL when there are so many white boys playing football,” Mosimane questioned at a media conference.
“My son is 13, and he’s playing against talented white players. I ask myself, why do we not have them in the senior teams?”
The 57-year-old launched a football school project earlier this year that is set to get underway later this year.
Mosimane plans to use this project as a way to increase the number of white players in the DStv Premiership.
“I am trying to change things. I am not saying I’ll be successful, but I will try,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach said.
“The white boys who are playing in those schools must come through the system.”
South Africa’s top flight has seen notable white players over the years such as Dillon Sheppard, Eric Tinkler, Mark Fish, Matthew Booth, Dean Furman and Daniel Cardoso.
Bradley Grobler has made a name for himself as a prolific striker for SuperSport United in recent seasons.
But present players Cardoso and Grobler are reaching the end of their careers and there are no young white players making their way through the ranks.
Despite there not being many white players in the South African leagues several have tried their luck abroad.
Dean Furman, perhaps the most recognisable, plied his trade for several clubs in England’s lower leagues before returning to South Africa.
At the moment South African Bradley Cross is trying to make a name for himself in England. The defender plays for Newcastle United’s Under-23 side.
Lars Veldwijk is another South African playing overseas. The 30-year-old striker plays for Suwon, a South Korean side.
Image source: @HollywoodBetsSportsBlog
