Gap between foreign-based and local players closing

The President of the South Africa Football Association Danny Jordaan has said the gap in quality between African footballers who play overseas and footballers who play in Africa is closing.

Over the years, and especially during tournaments like the Nations Cup, supporters have weighed in on teams’ selection, particularly for squads filled with foreign-based players – like Nigeria’s, and argued for and against the exclusion of home-based players.

Joordan, speaking exclusively with Omasports, also weighed in but while he moves for quality he says “it is easier” to have home-based players.

Jordaan cited an example with Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays for Chippa United in the South African top division.

“I think [Nwabali] has done extremely well and I think it’s an indication that the gap between Europe-based players and players on the African continent is closing,” Jordaan said.

“We [South Africa national team] only have two players who are overseas based and not with big clubs. The rest of our players are just from local clubs.

On team selection, the 72-year-old former Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay said: “In the end, you must pick the best players for that position whether they are overseas or home-based. But it’s easier when you have home-based players because you see them every week. You see them play together, you see them struggle,” he explained.

“But the oversea players you only see them when they are in the camp. There’s an advantage for both sides though. For local players, there is intense monitoring and a clear understanding of their mental and physical abilities, which you don’t have when they are foreign-based.”