One on One with the George "Sgebengu" Dearnaley...

Firstly thank you for doing this interview.

1. OM: Looking back at your first professional game, how was it playing with the likes of Owen “Ace” Nzimande, Muzi “Mr House” Khumalo, Dees Abdul, Archie Hadebe and the Special Sithole?

GD:My first game for AmaZulu was against Fairway Stars in January 1990 – we won 3 – 0 and I scored the 2^nd goal (Dees Abdul got the other two). It was great, I had been training with the team a few years before when I was still at school so I knew the names and I had watched the team play in the late 1980’s – so it was fantastic to be on the field with them. Archie ‘Juluka’ Hadebe was one of the best players, Fred ‘Junior’ Njiyela, Muzi ‘Mr House’ Khumalo and Dees Abdul – great players but also really good people.

2. OM: It seems like South African soccer back in the days used to be quite entertaining. Is it still as entertaining as it was while you were playing in the 90’s?

GD:To be honest the game back then was slower, so we had more time on the ball – the game today is unbelievable fast! Today’s players are better athletes, fitter & stronger, but perhaps this is at the expense of technical ability. I don’t like comparing the game from the 80’s to the 90’s and from my time to the current generation – things have changed and we need to accept that. I still find things to be excited about and am still entertained by certain players and teams, but the pressure of losing these days means that most coaches and teams would rather draw 0 – 0 every week than risk losing a match by attacking.

3. OM: You guys back in the 90’s had a bit more passion and loved the sport whole heartedly. What do you think is lacking in the South African soccer today?

GD:Again, it’s not for older players to say that the current guys have less or more passion – I just think there are different priorities. There is a lot more money today, there is a lot more media coverage – these are perhaps distractions for the current guys. We just focussed on playing as well as we could – the money was maybe the 2^nd thing on our minds. When a player signed for a club back in the ‘old days’ it was for a minimum 5 years – but today players (and agents) make money every time the player transfers or signs another contract, so this has been a big change in terms of how players think about their careers.

4. OM: If you had to look at now and then. Would you have preferred playing now or back in the 90’s?

GD:I think all the older players would love the money that the guys today get paid! I at least had the opportunity to play for Bafana, I think the legends of the 80’s missed out on so much because of isolation. Imagine a Bafana team with Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Professor Ngubane and Jomo Sono!! They would all loved to have been playing now – sadly I’m not sure the current crop of professional players realise how lucky they are. So many opportunities that never existed only 20 years ago! I’m happy to have played when I did, as things worked out for me mostly, but I wouldn’t mind playing today too – I think the modern SA game could do with a target man or two up front!

5. OM: Why is that?

GD:Apart from the money, I think if you do well these days you are set up for life with regards business opportunities. Because of the massive media coverage players are better known and the really good players benefit from all this coverage with regards to sponsorships and business opportunities.

6. OM: Soccer is a multi racial sport. Though we have very great white soccer players been seen here and there. Do you think everyone no matter what race, gets the same chance or its quite hard for a white soccer player to break the clutter and make his way into the premier league?

GD:Sadly I think less white kids are playing soccer in SA. I don’t think this is just a SA problem, I think middle to upper income kids around the World are less active in sport because of all the other entertainment options. Poorer kids will always play soccer – it doesn’t matter where in the World! I think that’s why there are so many African and South American players making it in Europe – they are hungrier to succeed than their European or North American counterparts. The Eastern Europeans are also making it in the bigger leagues because their countries are poorer than those in Western Europe. You still find great talent in Europe but most of these players will come from the poorer immigrant neighbourhoods.

7. OM: If you look at the number of white players today in the PSL, do you think it has changed or we are still facing the same problem?

GD: Early in my playing days(1990 – 1993) there were still some ‘white’ teams! Wits University, Manning Rangers and Hellenic had more white players than non-white, but the demographics slowly changed and by the late 1990’s you couldn’t call them ‘white teams’ any more. I think there are less white players in the PSL than in those days but I don’t think it is because there are less white people playing soccer – honestly, I think the level of football has dropped at school and club level because of various reasons, and I don’t think we are producing white players of the quality of the previous generations.

8. OM: Regarding the players. We see less commitment from our players today and they tend to phase out. Do you think our PSL players are being spoiled so much that they ease off and forget to do the job?

GD: I can’t say if it is less commitment – I think there are more distractions and it can be easier to lose focus. You also have to ask how hungry a player is when he gets a R 300 000 signing on fee and R 45 000 a month salary – I won’t mention any names, but I’ve chatted to young players who say they have ‘made it’ when they reach the PSL…without understanding that they actually have to aim higher! Why can’t a player from SA play for Barcelona or Real Madrid? Why do players from other African countries make it at the top teams in Europe but our players are happy to go sit on the bench in Sweden and Belgium?

9. OM: I think you’re a true role model to upcoming soccer players. As I believe you finished school and varsity then played. How important is an education in a soccer player’s career?

GD: Thanks. I’ve tried to pass on info to younger players and share my experience. I think it is that for every 1 000 kids who want to play professionally, perhaps only 1 or 2 will make it! So you have to ask how the other 998 kids per 1000 are planning for their future? Once a player actually makes it as a pro, I think they should continue learning so they have something to fall back on when the playing career ends. You are never too old to learn!

10. OM: You where in America for a bit of time. Where there reasons of you not staying there to play professionally?

GD: I was at College on a soccer scholarship in 1990 and 91. I left because there was no sign of any future pro soccer in America, and because SA had been readmitted into FIFA and I wanted to be a part of it. My dad called me after a conversation with Clive Barker in December 1991 – he told my dad he was going to be the AmaZulu coach in the New Year and that SA were going to compete in World Cup 1994 qualifiers – I flew back 2 weeks later and the rest is history.

11. OM: Which player was your toughest competitor back in the days?

GD: Oh, lots of ‘hard men’ and some dirty ones too! John Salter of Cosmos was hard as nails, Bricks Modau, Shoes Lushozi, Gavin Lane, Peter Gordon, Dance Malesela, Howard Freeze, Lucas Radebe, John Mbidzo, Mandla Sithole, Bradley Muir – I always had one of the big defenders following me around because I’m tall! Most of the time I got kicked on the back of my legs, I don’t know why I had to wear shin pads!

12. OM: Which team always got you guys nervous and scared before playing against it?

GD: When I played for AmaZulu we weren’t scared of anyone – but we looked forward to playing Chiefs and Pirates the most. The problem with that is you do well against the ‘big’ teams but you lose focus or concentration when you play the smaller teams – and it’s the same 3 points you are playing for! But Free State Stars in Botshabelo was never easy!

13. OM: Do you think South African Soccer is growing to become one of the best in the world, or that we still need quite a bit of time and work?

GD: No, I think we have a false sense of how good we are. For a country like SA, with our resources, our facilities, our population size and everything else, I think we should be number 1, or 2 in Africa or 3^rd at worst! We should be challenging for Continental honours at International level and even our clubs should be doing well in the African competitions – until we get to the point where our teams dominate the region, we have a lot of work to do.

14. OM: There’s a lot of talented players in the PSL, who do you think we can say is a George Dearnaley in the making?

GD: Well hopefully they are better than me! I scored 61 goals in 124 professional matches that I started – and sadly, it is an area of the game that needs a lot of work – scoring goals! Ndulula at Pirates and Ncobo at Chiefs have the same type of physical qualities I had, but I’m not sure if they know or are being taught how to use their bodies up front. They both seem to lack confidence but once they start scoring goals regularly, they won’t stop. I just hope they aim higher than trying to emulate me!

15. OM: Highlight of your career?

GD: Undoubtedly 1992. Golden Boot winner, Young Player of the Year Runner up, Players Player of the Year Runner up, Player of the Year Runner up, Bafana Bafana debut and scoring the winning goal in the Coke Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs! Stuff of dreams.

16. OM: If you had to pick a team to play for in today’s PSL teams, which one would it be?

GD: I like the service the Pirates strikers get from the flanks! I like the money at Sundowns! And I always wanted to play for Chiefs! Does that answer your question? Then I would play for AmaZulu again!!!

Interview with George Lebese

Reason: He is probabaly set to be the one replaycing Simpiwe Shabalala. And he has his own style and technique of play. I’d like to give the fans more of him, because he is not a regular but the glimps we see of him are very promising ?

OM: Thank you for doing this interview George. Fistly congrats on the goal you scored against a big team like Tottenham Hotspur. How did you feel about that goal?

GL: Like you said, it was a preseason match, so it wasn’t an official goal. But with that said, scoring against Tottenham, with all the hype,I was just so happy to score.

OM: You did well on the pitch on that day, and you looked on form, what were the coaches remarks to you about your performan on that day?

GL: He didn’t say much. That’s how he expects me to play everytime I’m on the pitch. I want to be one of those players who start every game and I always have to play well. But yeah, he just said well done.

OM: You started playing professionally at a young age. Was it easy or difficult for you to adapt to high level football?

GL: It was difficult at first, but then the senior player here made it a little easier because they accommodate you and show you the ropes. But at the young age it was difficult because the fans always expect you to deliver whenever you play.

OM: Kaizer Chiefs is a big team and you come from Arcadia Shepards. How did you feel when they approached you and how did your parents take it, as you had to move away from home?

GL: Well, it was huge. Arcadia is a Vodacom League team and Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest teams in Africa. So coming from there to here was very difficult, but my teammates helped me out out a lot and I have adapted very well.

OM: When you had finally completed your transfer to Kaizer Chiefs in 2008, you said you want to follow in the footsteps of Jabu Mahlangu-Not the road of destruction though but the time of his peak. Things have changed now and I’d still like to ask, is that still your motive to want to be like him?

GL: I want to be George. I liked Jabu as a player and what he did here at Chiefs. He made a huge impact, but I want to start my own legacy and build up my own name.

OM: Shabba is left footed you are too. He is a great set-piece taker, you are too .You also play the same position as him. Do you always find people comparing you to him?

GL: We are different types of players, but I’m learning from him. He is a senior player and he plays good football. If I don’t do better than him, I would like to follow in his footsteps. (Laughs)

OM: Do you feel a proffessional football player has earned a successful career when their playing overseas or they can becomne successful here at home in South Africa?

I think overseas is the best place to make your name, but here at Chiefs it is very similar to Europe and it prepares you to go overseas.

Is there hope for the PSL.

I was disappointed after watching a couple of PSL matches at the standard of our local soccer. I mean it is called Premier Soccer league, which really represents the highest level football but it does not reflect that on the pitch.

I am not a control freak, it’s just that, we as South African hail our local teams so much, we tend to forget about the silly childish mistakes they do on the pitch. I mean who expects an indirect free kick or even a fowl throw in a premier league soccer match. Those are some of the silly mistakes our “professional” soccer players do in league and cup matches.

I am a lover of soccer, just like you, who is reading this blog, but as a soccer fanatic, don’t we anticipate high class football from our local teams, especially if their professional. And the goals on the other hand are a big disappointment. After a full PSL weekend, we only have about 10 goals scored. It might not have happened this weekend, but it happens countless times throughout the duration of the season.

Is it a problem or is it’s just hard to score goals in SA.

I think the players don’t work hard enough on the pitch, don’t work hard at practice or even after that. I’ve heard about some of the star players in the world who practice individually for more hours after their team practice is over, but rarely heard anything about our South African stars.

The subject matter here is we are in demand of high class football. We want to talk more about our PSL teams in buses, trains at work and at gatherings and we want to talk less about the Rooney’s, the Ronaldo’s, the Messi’s.

We have players that can really make our PSL shine among the rest. We have the capabilities to have a competitive league, not only Chiefs and Pirate competing at in every cup final. It’s just that I believe we as supporters demand more. If they want to see more people in stadiums, then let’s see the magic on the pitch.

Is Benni a threat to the PSL?

Benni ”in the 18 area” McCarthy, the only South African with a UEFA Champions League gold medal has returned home and is playing for the Buccaneers-Orlando Pirates.

Now this is a player who has been travelling all around Europe, playing in some of the best team teams in the world and has achieved so much in his international period. He still stands as the top goal scorer for the national team and is one of the South Africa’s best and most prosperous export in 12 years.

With his credentials he has the experience that 90% of the Premier Soccer League players have not even sniffed, and is now playing in S.A. where this league is still developing.

He is now playing for Orlando Pirates and to the rest of the PSL teams, does he pose a threat? Well the answer is yes and maybe no?

Yes, because he has the experience that most players don’t have and he has played against the best. I believe weather he is so called “un-fit” he still has the ability to score goals, and I believe he will because Pirates is the kind of team that need accurate goal scorers. If you take some time to look at some of the goals he has scored in the past,you would see that he has done some damage against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. And what stops him from doing more damage to the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Sundown’s or even Super Sport United. If its the question of being slow you’re asking, then maybe you should think about the likes of AC Milans Filippo Inzaghi, Roma’s Frencsco Totti or even our Golden Arrows Collins Mbesuma who may not the most fastest players but make a mark in putting the ball in the back on the net, so what’s stopping Benni

If we had to say he is not a threat, what would be the reasons justifying that.

No he is not a threat because he might actually be a weakness that teams might thrive on. I mean whether you where the greatest soccer player or not, age tends to catch up with you. Just because you scored goals when you where 20 doesn’t mean you can if you’re 30. All I’m saying is teams may gain some momentum knowing that Benni is on the field, and they might capitalize on that. Whether he has the experience its all in his head, and may not be in his legs. And everyone knows you need to your legs to play the game, does he really still have it.

The truth is Benni is back, and he has proved himself on his debut Match this passed weekend against Black Leopards by scoring. And though you might think it was a “flook” it wasn’t , because Benni is a striker and he has the strikers instinct, so its his job to score.

The questions still remains, will he keep it up for the whole season? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Who is taking it?

The Absa premiership title ends tomorrow! And there are three teams who are standing in the run to win it. Out of 16 PSL teams only three are now 90 minutes away from holding the Absa 2010\2011 premiership cup.

Kaizer Chiefs, who had a great run this season? They played their best most of the games but failed to perform on games that were very vital. They once were heading to the top of the PSL log and they drew 3 matches in a row. This was a huge disappointment for the team and the fans as they saw their dream becoming very blur. Now they have to play the last league match hoping that both the 1^st & 2^nd league position holders will lose or draw so that they can have the PSL title in their hands.

Well it’s just a little to late!

Orlando Pirates had an amazing 2010/2011 season. Football analyst’s believes that the buccaneers had the some of the best players in the league. Orlando Pirates coach- Ruud Krol had a feast of players to choose from and with no hesitation he did it well through out the whole season. Once he had his head nearly being chopped off but because of his passion and understanding for the game he managed to get over the pressure and he defeated all his critics. All the hard work he put in the team off the pitch really paid on the pitch. But the team let him down in a game they could have easily won. They could’ve been siting in 1^st place. And for their last encounter all they had to do was wait for the final whistle after 90 minutes. But it’s now gone and they have to win and hope the 1^st league position holders lose

So close, but yet so far!

Who thought the youngest team in the Absa Premiership would be sitting in 1^st place. All I can say about these boys is, what a team-What a game(s). Ajax Cape Town really gave all soccer lovers 29 great matches. Even though they lost and drew some matches the 18 games that they won really were unbelievable. The fast movement of the ball, the quick game play, the dribbles and the team play was all entertaining and phenomenal football. The team is today sitting on top spot and have to win to claim their prize. I believe it’s already theirs. I mean the original Absa Premiership trophy will be in Cape Town and it will be a home match against a team that is sitting in 12^th place.

Well done to the coach and the team for making life easier for themselves and making life hard for everyone else.

You deserve that trophy.

The chosen one...

He is the demolishers, the speedster, the defense destroyer, the magician, the general, and the master… He is the South African Messi, The goal-scoring hero. Who would it be either than Thualni Serero…

The Mapetla born star, started playing soccer in Soweto, until he got spotted to go to the Cape Town based team – Ajax. He began there at 13 playing in the development level, fighting his way up the football ladder to make it to 1^st team. And today he is not only in the Urban Warriors 1^st team, but he is a crucial player in the team, and he is only 20.

This star has picked up his game so much that he has gained national attention, as he is now part of the South African squad. This boy has scored crucial goals in the 2010/2011 league so far and he has also given defenders nightmare with his dazzling moves on the pitch.

He seems to always be in the right place, he seems to know where the ball is going to be, he is just a phenomenal player who definitely has a bright future ahead of him. This is a type of player we can expect seeing in the biggest leagues of the world, like the La Liga or Barclay’s premier league.

After Thulan Seroro went to Ajax Amsterdam, for tri outs, he came back not succeeding, but he did not lose hope. He also mentioned that, it is quite tough and physical overseas and that the players take practice very seriously.

After noticing how standards are high over sees, he vowed to himself that he is going to work even harder on the pitch and off it. And today we have proof that he has put an immense amount of hard work in himself.

He is what newspapers are talking about, he is what football fans are talking about. He is what national and international teams are wanting on their squads next season. He was what the national team needs.

He is Thulani Serero…

Big up boy, keep it up. This Article was just dedicated to you…

Well-done.

Talent doesn't discriminate so why should we?

We have a great democratic country, and that
makes our nation a true and diverse country.
But lets really be honest, on the soccer field, have we really been diverse or are we just making soccer a black sport.

Now I am a soccer player my self, and I know when I see a good soccer player, regardless of the colour, it doesn’t matter. If you have the skill then you are good enough to play.

But because of our unfortunate past should we keep on punishing the white or colored soccer players who are doing well.
We’ve come a long way with our soccer and to keep it growing and maintaining the standard. My concern is that there are too many white players that are being side lined probably because of their color for guys who are constantly on the pitch with minimum work rate and less discipline.

Bradley Grobler, a young and well working striker who just needs to be given a chance whether nationally or in the premier league, he is good enough to play but his sitting on the bench won’t do anyone justice. So he has just scored two goals in last weeks game, so what are we going to now put him on the bench and give an underprivileged black striker a chance to do the same thing.

David Somma, was noticed two weeks ago by South Africans, and by SAFA. Only when he scores 6 goals in 7 matches he is a South African soccer player. Maybe if he was black people would have spotted him along time ago. But he has played in Italy, USA and his playing in England for while now. Regardless of the league, being in the Football league championship (First division) I think he would have made a difference in our squad a couple of months ago during the world cup.

When I talk about Dillon Sheppard, I really feel like crying. This was one of South Africa’s most accurate and consistent left wingers, before the Daine Klates, Lerato Chabangu’s and the Siphiwe Tshabalala’s, he had everything he needed to be on the South Africa’s starting line up in the CAF nations cup and World Cup, but I really fear that if he was sidelined because of color, then how do we really spot talent.

I know he had a bad injury that hampered his career but the fact is he is that good enough of a player.
Matthew Pattison. First of all his work rate on the football pitch is unbelievable, he does very well to retrieve the ball and does well to create goal scoring chances on the pitch.
Many of you probably thought he is a Sundown’s development player, but do you know him From Newcastle FC, or even Norwich where he reined as a player. For the World Cup preparation he was given 15 minutes on the pitch against Mpumalanga, only 15 minutes, how are you going judge a player for in minutes. I think he should have been in the National team a long time ago and he Is a extraordinary player and I trust that he will be a favorite in eyes the South African fans.

There are a lot of players I can mention, Matthew Booth who just showed his face during the world Cup(A player who received player of the year awards in Russia as a defender).Mark Van Heerden, Darren Keet, Mark Arber, Stephan Armstrong, Cheyne Fowler ,Jonathan Greenfield. Who are really doing well for their teams.i just hope we are not waiting for another white talented soccer player to score 6 goals in 7 matches then we say he is South African and we should put him in the national team.

And don’t forget, we won the African nations cup with Neil Tovey, Eric Tinkler, Rodger De Sa,Mark Fish…

Guys who where white and doing well for our nation. And regarding what race you are, when you are playing for South Africa you really don’t want to be put in the squad because of a the color of you skin ,but the maturity of your skill.

I just hope we are not waiting for another white talented soccer player to score 6 goals in 7 matches then we say he is South African and we should put him in the national team.

This is my opinion; please feel free to comment….