South Africa’s search for the next generation of football stars has received a boost following a partnership between Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS) and Spanish football powerhouse LaLiga Academy.
The partnership aims to identify, nurture and develop promising young footballers by exposing them to international expertise and professional development opportunities.
Speaking to Newsnote during the launch in Randburg, RBS Sporting Director Eugene Thipe urged young players to work hard, remain committed and believe they could reach the highest levels of the game.
Thipe said the initiative was not only about developing individual talent but also about contributing to the growth of South African, African and international football.
He expressed confidence that the programme could help produce players capable of representing Bafana Bafana in the future.
“Our most important thing is to also make sure that we contribute to South African football, we contribute to African football, we contribute to global football. And by so doing, that is why we do have partners like LaLiga on our doorstep and doing this together,” said Thipe.
He also highlighted similarities between Spanish and South African football, particularly the importance of pace, ball possession and controlling the game.
Thipe said South African players needed to learn how to retain possession and avoid giving their opponents unnecessary opportunities to dominate matches.
“If you play speedy football, like Europeans do, and you are able to control possession, then you can bulldoze your opponents. But if you give away the ball that easily, they are going to dominate you and bulldoze you,” he said.
Meanwhile, LaLiga’s Technical Senior Specialist for Development International Projects, José Ángel García Ruiz, said the partnership would give young South African players an opportunity to learn from international football experts.
He said the initiative went beyond technical ability, placing emphasis on understanding the psychological and social aspects of the game.
“We also want them to understand the psychological and social part of the game, and we are finding similarities in the way they play and the understanding of the game,” said García Ruiz.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities for emerging players to develop their skills while gaining exposure to different football philosophies and professional standards.
As part of the initiative, Royal Bafokeng Stadium will host trials this Sunday for players in the under-13 to under-19 age groups.
The trials are expected to provide a platform for young footballers to showcase their abilities as they pursue opportunities to take their talent to the next level.
