Amid calls to retire, many Premiership veterans can still play a vital, multi-dimensional role at their clubs, writes Mogamad Allie in SoccerClub magazine.
The call by TV pundit Mike Mangena for Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker to hang up his boots has brought into sharp focus the role of veterans in the PSL.
Mangena, a former Amakhosi star, made the call in September, suggesting the 30-year-old, who won the league’s top goal-scorer award in the 2013-14 season, has seen better days.
‘Parker has done it, he’s had a fantastic career, he’s done well; but it’s time to say: “Hey, let me hang up those boots”,’ the former striker told Soccer Laduma.
Parker admittedly was well below par during Chiefs’ miserable 2015-16 campaign, scoring only twice in 24 league starts, but many believe the Bafana international still has a lot to offer as Amakhosi seek to restore their battered pride.
The team’s captain, Siphiwe Tshabalala, is two years older than Parker, but he is still central to coach Steve Komphela’s plans to engineer a turnaround this season.
Shabba’s leadership on the pitch, together with his ability to provide width, were sorely missed in the few opening games of the season due to an injury-enforced absence.
Although he may have lost some of his pace, the 32-year-old wing, who has made over 300 appearances for Chiefs, still looks in good enough shape to remain a vital part of the team’s set-up in the coming years and should overtake the legendary Doctor Khumalo’s record of 397 starts.
Players in their early 30s are relative spring chickens compared to the likes of striker Henrico Botes and goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs (both 36), who are still integral to their teams.
Botes, who rejoined Platinum Stars after a two-season spell with Bidvest Wits, was not only signed to lead the attack, but also to assist with the integration of youngsters such as Kobamelo Kodisang, Kamogelo Mathe and Sipho Senne, promoted from the club’s academy.
The Namibian international, who made his PSL debut for Moroka Swallows in the 2005-06 season, believes he still has lots to offer despite his advancing years. ‘I don’t see a reason I should not keep playing at my age. As long as you look after your body, you can continue to perform at this level for a long time.
‘In terms of hunger, the flame is still burning. I could have said I’ve had enough and joined the development ranks. I had an opportunity to do that, but I think I can still give a lot to football in South Africa.
‘Stars are an ambitious club and I’m here to make my small contribution. I’m looking forward to a great season,’ he told Dikwena’s website.
Coach Cavin Johnson has been astute in retaining the services of vastly experienced campaigners like 36-year-old Solomon Mathe, Tintswalo Tshabalala (34) and Vuyo Mere (32) to assist the eight academy graduates with the step up to top-flight football.
Josephs, who is into his 18th season in the PSL and closing in on an unprecedented 500 league starts, is still playing well enough for Bidvest Wits for many to back his return to the national team.
Together with 37-year-old midfielder Dillon Sheppard, Slimkat’s experience is a crucial part of coach Gavin Hunt’s plans to lead the Clever Boys to their first league title.
‘We are not here to add numbers. The young players in our squad motivate us to work hard, which is why we continue to perform,’ said Sheppard, who had spells with Ajax Cape Town, Golden Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars during his 16 years in the PSL.
‘Myself, Moeneeb and other players are doing our part to help the young players perform,’ he added.
Former Orlando Pirates defender Papi Khomane, now a TV commentator, believes veterans play a key role in the team dynamic, particularly in helping young players cope with the demands and pressure of playing top-flight football, on and off the pitch.
‘These are guys who have seen it all before and they help in absorbing the pressure that youngsters may be exposed to. They also create a vital bridge between the young players and the coach in terms of communication,’ Khomane told SoccerClub.
Veterans like Andre Arendse and John Moshoeu set the precedent for others to follow through their exemplary physical conditioning, but there won’t be many who’ll be able to match their longevity in the local game.
WISE MEN
Bruce Grobbelaar was 44 when he played for Hellenic against Kaizer Chiefs in 2002. Andre Arendse became the oldest PSL footballer when he broke Grobbelaar’s record at the age of 45 in 2013 after Bidvest Wits had a goalkeeping crisis.
Hans Vonk turned out for Ajax Cape Town after celebrating his 41st birthday in the 2010-11 campaign.
The late John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu (below) became the oldest PSL goal-scorer, just days short of his 42nd birthday, when he scored for AmaZulu against Kaizer Chiefs in 2007.
– This article first appeared in Issue 74 of SoccerClub magazine
