As national team coaches and players from across the world complete their tournament preparations during the last international break, Fifa World Cup fever is starting to spread.
Richard Ofori, the starting goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates, and Brice Ambina of Cameroon connected with their national team counterparts during that break to work on finishing touches before the championship game in Qatar next month.
The two are the only Premier Soccer League (PSL) players that have a chance to participate in the match next month.
With just one call-up to his credit, it is quite improbable that the Cape Town City midfielder would make the Indomitable Lions’ final 26-man squad before the tournament, thus Ofori will be the sole one representing the PSL with pride.
How serious are the PSL’s issues if they can’t even draw in the kind of players that will compete at the greatest sporting event of the year?
The South African football community may be quick to point out that the league’s poor participation is mostly due to Bafana Bafana’s downfall in recent years.
Another aspect to take into account, however, would be that some of the finest players on the continent might not want to play in a league that lacks appeal.
Since 2014, the PSL has sent three players to each of the two World Cups, including Fatau Dauda (Ghana, 2014, with Pirates at the time), Rashid Sumaila (Ghana, 2014, with Mamelodi Sundowns at the time), and Daniel Akpeyi (Nigeria, 2018, with Chippa United at the time). This does not paint a flattering picture of the caliber of players in our league.
The Eagle of Carthage currently has six players from their domestic league, compared to a Tunisia team headed to the World Cup, which is supported by French Ligue 1 players. This contrast shows the quality gap the PSL needs to close in order to be regarded as one of the best leagues on the continent.
Every time the World Cup rolls around, fans of all our clubs are reminded of the fragile status of our sport. It has been regularly highlighted that the future of the South African national team resides in the improvement of our local league.
Due to their fierce competition, leagues all around the continent serve as a breeding ground for some of the best national diamonds.
However, in a South African context, Sundowns’ dominance is seen as a barrier to success rather than an advantage.
With each World Cup year, more and more issues arise about the PSL’s complicated situation.