South Africa’s all-time top goalscorer, Benni McCarthy, has voiced his concerns regarding the stagnation of young talent in South African football.
He attributes this issue to the hesitation of coaches to provide opportunities to emerging players.
McCarthy, a UEFA Champions League winner with Porto FC, highlighted that club owners often prioritize immediate results, creating pressure on coaches to focus on winning rather than nurturing young talent.
“Most young players get the opportunity to play at the top stage together with their heroes and top players from each individual club and have the chance to showcase their talent but the coaches are scared to use those youngsters because they are thinking of results,” he told South African outlet, Soccer Laduma.
“You know if you use the youngsters and win everyone will praise you, but if you play them and lose, your job is at risk.”
McCarthy also advocated for better collaboration between youth and senior team coaches, stressing the need for a club-wide commitment to youth development.
“The youth coaches should work hand in hand with the senior team coaches for the integration of the young players to the senior team to work out smoothly. But it should start with the vision of the club.
“The club has to first believe in their own system and the players they are developing, then the coaches won’t under pressure to use those players, as they know they are slowly but steadily being integrated into the system as they develop. That’s what we need from our coaches and not for them to be scared.”
