Luc Eymael: VAR is the only thing missing from South Africa’s PSL

Belgian coach Luc Eymael has praised the Premier Soccer League’s organisation and financial support for clubs, but believes the introduction of video assistant referees (VAR) is the one major feature still missing from South African football.

Eymael, who is currently looking for his next coaching role, said he had enjoyed working in the PSL and remained interested in returning to the country, despite the distance from his home in Belgium.

The Premier Soccer League was established in 1996 and is marking its 30th anniversary this season. Eymael believes it remains one of the best-run competitions in Africa, particularly in terms of infrastructure, scheduling and cup tournaments.

“First of all, congratulations for that big, fantastic, and very professional institution, because we have to recognise that it is one of the best-organised leagues when it comes to pitches, stadiums, fixtures, and cup competitions,” says the Belgian, speaking to KickOff.

He also highlighted the financial assistance provided to clubs, saying he believed each side received a monthly grant of R2.5 million to help with their operations.

“It is the only league in Africa where clubs receive a monthly grant of R2.5 million, I think, to help them run their clubs. It is the only league in Africa where everything is well-organised, like in Europe – the league, MTN8, Carling Knockout, and the Nedbank Cup. The only missing component in SA is the VAR.”

Eymael said other African leagues had made significant progress, naming Morocco, Tanzania, Algeria and Egypt among those that had improved their organisation. However, he argued that South Africa was still ahead of them.

“In other African leagues, clubs do receive most of the time the TV right, but never like in SA. Now Morocco, Tanzania, Algeria, and Egypt have improved a lot, but not yet as South Africa. I always said South Africa is Europe from Africa, and is sometimes better than Europe in some things.”

The coach said his experiences in South Africa had left him with positive memories and that he continued to speak regularly with PSL managers and former players.

“So, my memories of SA are good, and despite it being very far from Belgium, I’ m still interested in coaching a good team in your country again. I speak a lot with different PSL coaches and some of my former players,” he adds, while reserving complimentary words for the League’s boss.

Eymael also paid tribute to Dr. Khoza, praising the PSL leader’s long-term contribution to South African football and suggesting he had played an important role in helping organise the 2010 World Cup in the country.

“I know you can never please everybody in your country or in the world… but I think Dr. Khoza deserves big respect for what he has done and continues to do for SA soccer. He is a fantastic visionary. I think he also contributed significantly to the organisation of the World Cup in your country.

“So, Dr. Khoza, big congratulations for what you did and what you are still doing. Like Pep Guardiola said: Chapeau, Dr. Khoza . I just wish that when he retires, the PSL will be led by another equally qualified person.”

Eymael also congratulated Pitso Mosimane on his nomination as Bafana Bafana head coach. He said he had sent Mosimane a WhatsApp message but had not received a response.

“Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Pitso Mosimane for his nomination as Bafana Bafana head coach; I sent him a Whatsapp message, but he has not yet replied. I hope he will improve the work done by Hugo Broos.”