Be more clinical – Ketjijere
• Support for African teams grow
Former Brave Warriors stalwart Ronald Ketjijere believes that African teams - who are facing a tough time at the Fifa World Cup - have what it takes to break the proverbial glass ceiling, but should work on being clinical in front of the goal and stop thinking of themselves as inferior.
Limba MupetamiWindhoek
At the ongoing Fifa World Cup, Africa is represented by Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon and Tunisia. So far, Ghana played an impressive match against Portugal but ended up losing 3-2. In their second clash, they beat Switzerland 2-0; the hope is that they will beat South Africa today.
On 2 December they will face Uruguay.
Senegal were beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands in their opening match. They then kicked Qatar out of the tournament after beating them 3-1. They now have a date with Ecuador for tomorrow.
Morocco drew 0-0 with Croatia in their opener. They had a date with Belgium before going to point. On 1 December, they will face Canada.
Cameroon were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland in their first tournament encounter. They will clash with Serbia today, and on 2 December they will cross swords with Brazil.
Tunisia drew 0-0 with Denmark in their opening clash. They then lost 1-0 to Australia in their second match and will meet France on Wednesday.
Late start
“They are not clinical enough to kill off games,” Ronald Ketjijere said.
He added that African teams control matches for most of the game, but lose them towards the end as they lose concentration in the last 10 to 20 minutes.
A local sports journalist, Marco Ndlovu, said that African players fail because they don’t have proper training and development at a young age.
“It has everything to do with development. African players don’t get proper training or coaching at a young age. If you look at the likes of English footballer Phil Foden – he was with Manchester City since the age of five. He was trained and developed there. They even include science in the development of their players. This can be food science as well. Our players eat everything; their growth is not monitored. Our players get training around the age of 14. If you compare them with Europeans, they get this development at a much younger age.
“Yes, the Africans bring physicality, a pure latent and never-say-die attitude, but still they end up lacking as they don’t have the basic elements.”
Local sports anchor Jovita Kandjumbwa said she is rooting for all five African nations. “I truly hope any one of them can reach the semi-final. There are plenty of surprises in the tournament so far. I think any nation can take it.”
At the ongoing Fifa World Cup, Africa is represented by Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Cameroon and Tunisia. So far, Ghana played an impressive match against Portugal but ended up losing 3-2. In their second clash, they beat Switzerland 2-0; the hope is that they will beat South Africa today.
On 2 December they will face Uruguay.
Senegal were beaten 2-0 by the Netherlands in their opening match. They then kicked Qatar out of the tournament after beating them 3-1. They now have a date with Ecuador for tomorrow.
Morocco drew 0-0 with Croatia in their opener. They had a date with Belgium before going to point. On 1 December, they will face Canada.
Cameroon were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland in their first tournament encounter. They will clash with Serbia today, and on 2 December they will cross swords with Brazil.
Tunisia drew 0-0 with Denmark in their opening clash. They then lost 1-0 to Australia in their second match and will meet France on Wednesday.
Late start
“They are not clinical enough to kill off games,” Ronald Ketjijere said.
He added that African teams control matches for most of the game, but lose them towards the end as they lose concentration in the last 10 to 20 minutes.
A local sports journalist, Marco Ndlovu, said that African players fail because they don’t have proper training and development at a young age.
“It has everything to do with development. African players don’t get proper training or coaching at a young age. If you look at the likes of English footballer Phil Foden – he was with Manchester City since the age of five. He was trained and developed there. They even include science in the development of their players. This can be food science as well. Our players eat everything; their growth is not monitored. Our players get training around the age of 14. If you compare them with Europeans, they get this development at a much younger age.
“Yes, the Africans bring physicality, a pure latent and never-say-die attitude, but still they end up lacking as they don’t have the basic elements.”
Local sports anchor Jovita Kandjumbwa said she is rooting for all five African nations. “I truly hope any one of them can reach the semi-final. There are plenty of surprises in the tournament so far. I think any nation can take it.”
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