Influx of foreign players elicit mixed reactions

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday February 11, 2011 00:00

The veteran football administrator repeated the claim that the influx of foreign players in the country curtails the development of local talent. However, opinion is divided on the impact of foreign players in Botswana football. But it is not in doubt that Malawian international Lawrence Majawa has been instrumental at Township Rollers, so has his Zambian teammate, Mweuka Musonda.

Zambian striker, Ronald Chikomo, has shone like a beacon for Gaborone United (GU), so did Sageby Sandaka of Zimbabwe during his fouryear stint at the club.

Mandlenkosi Sibanda's contribution to ECCO City Greens' success in the past few seasons is not in doubt. Itayi Gwandu, now at Mochudi Centre Chiefs, has been a stalwart during the recent success of Rollers and GU. Platinum Stars' Terrence Mandaza was simply terrific, helping Rollers clinch a cup double after hitting the net 42 times in all competitions.

Former Nico United striker, Master Masitara was an accomplished hit-man during the two seasons he was at the club.

Despite the contribution of these foreign stars, Mamelodi is not a happy man. 'We are littering the league with foreign players. Some of them are illegal immigrants and they know it is easy to get a residence permit as a footballer. We are cheating the system. We need them to improve the standard of the game, but when they deny potential Zebras' players a chance, I have a problem,' he said.

His assertion got the backing of the Botswana Premier League chairman, Mike Molefhe. Molefhe is a director at Uniao Flamengo Santos, the club that groomed international striker Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele. 'It is pointless to keep a foreigner who sits on the bench. I know clubs want results at all costs, but when you look at Tsotso, then you know that there is a price we have to pay to groom our own youngsters,' he said.

Masitara, who was top goal scorer in two consecutive seasons rubbishes Mamelodi's argument, suggesting that it is disingenuous to blame foreigners for the Zebras' past failures.

'In fact, foreigners have changed the local game, they push the locals to work harder and that enhances competition. So there is no way we can say foreigners are not adding value to the local league,' he said.

Like Masitara, Chiefs' national team winger, Pontsho Moloi said that foreign players can only be good for the game due to the fact that they make locals to overhaul their act.

'I believe foreigners are pushing us to work hard. I don't see how we can say the influx of foreigners is affecting the national team. We have done well in the AFCON qualifiers and for the first time, it looks like we will qualify for the AFCON! So this has nothing to do with the influx of foreigners. It is a whole lot of factors that have affected the national team.' South African-based Botswana international, Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane believes only quality foreign players should be signed.

'It all depends on whether they are good players because there is no use if they are not better than our players.

Remember, it is not only about football skills. It is the hunger for success, the professionalism and the attitude that can help develop our players,' Selolwane said.

Gwandu, who has won two consecutive be MOBILE Premier League titles cites the fact that foreign players have clinched the Green Boot Award in the past three seasons as an example that they are good. 

'There is no doubt that foreigners add quality in this league. Take a look at every award last season, there was a foreigner vying for each award. Again, for the past three seasons, the top goal scorer award was won by a foreigner.' In as much as many are sympathetic about youth development, Mamelodi rightly said professional soccer is run along commercial lines. It makes much more business sense to buy a player who brings in a wealth of experience. Currently, Premier League rules stipulate that clubs can register no more than three foreign players in any given season.

Initially, the number was five but was reduced to three at the beginning of the season, in line with the Bosele Declaration.

Countries like England have stringent requirements for foreigners playing in their league. England does not accept a player who has not participated in 75 percent  of his country's national team games in the last two years. In addition, the player's country must be ranked 75th or better in the world.