Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has expressed his concern about the lack of available structures to improve the goalkeeping department in the country.
South Africa have struggled to find a reliable hand in between the sticks and an able replacement for Bafana Bafana since Itumeleng Khune saw his form dwindle over the past two years.
During his stint as national team manager, Molefi Ntseki had to stick with SuperSport United’s Ronwen Williams and Darren Keet, who plays for Cape Umoya, as his main goalkeeping options.
Meanwhile, the first choice goal-keeping spot at ‘big three’ sides, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have recently been occupied by foreign names, which is a concern for Baloyi.
“I think there is a concern especially when you look at every country, first priority is always the National Team. Looking at the three biggest teams (in South Africa) playing with foreign goalkeepers. When you go down more than 50% of PSL clubs are playing with foreign goalkeepers, obviously at some point we gonna have problem in the country,” Baloyi tells KickOff.com.
‘Sundowns have signed two of youngest talent we have in the country. They are not playing. They are sitting on the bench. So it’s a cause for concern more especially when it comes to the future of South African goalkeepers “.
“It’s not a secret that for many years we haven’t as a country focused on developing goalkeepers. Up until today we don’t have more than five goalkeeping academies if ever, we have one in the country. For years it’s something that we have not prioritized. Goalkeeper coaches it’s only the past few years that clubs have taken it seriously. I
“If we really want as a national team not to suffer in future, we really need to do something about as soon as possible. Itu (Khune) is on his way out, depending how long he wants to play. He can still play for five to six years. It depends entirely on him if still has the hunger”.
“After him we gonna have problem. After his generation, not only him, there are lot of other keepers few years younger than him. So, the next generation of keepers, we need to develop them as soon as possible.”
Even Itumeleng Khune has come under criticism in recent weeks and that further buttresses the point made by Baloyi.