Fabian McCarthy warns SA football is neglecting its grassroots talent

McCarthy is a product of school football and the development structures that once played a significant role in identifying and nurturing young players.

However, he believes those pathways are no longer receiving the attention and investment they deserve, making it increasingly difficult to unearth promising youngsters.

"The talent that you see week in, week out at GDL level or LFA level, I'm not talking about the leagues where there's always fighting or corruption, I'm talking about development in terms of your local LFA,” McCarthy said.

“Most of us now have kids that are playing for these development teams where we can see and we so wish that this can just be stretched out to all the other provinces, the nine provinces in our country. 

“I made the North West team under16 and then I was selected to represent the under17 team but I didn't make the final team. Then again the United Bank Challenge, the programme that coach Shakes Mashaba was running, I then got selected in 1995 as one of the best players from the North West. 

“I got known to South African football through that United Bank Challenge that coach Shakes Mashaba took upon himself to travel the country to scout for players that were not playing in structured development football leagues."

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McCarthy fears that without renewed commitment to grassroots development, South African football could pay the price in the years ahead.

He recalls the days when there were unlimited platforms for potential superstars.

"That time in Gauteng there was the Chappies little league, there were some junior leagues that were playing week in, week out. Some kids were playing curtain raisers before the main PSL games,” he added.

“For us who were outside there in the North West we had to wait for such programmes and be available and that is how I got introduced to the national setup. From U20, U23, I made it to the All Africa Games, the Olympic team. 

“I was in Cyprus for six months and there was a challenge for me to say, am I going to camp and go to the Olympics or am I gonna stick out with my six months loan contract from Bloemfontein Celtics. 

“Then I made a decision and said I'm gonna represent my country, I'd rather lose the six months that I have. Little did I know that we were gonna make history but I want this generation now to overcome that huddle, to go past the group stages. 

“We want the next Bafana team to win the AFCON, the next Bafana team in 2030 to go to the semi-final or quarterfinals of the World Cup because we have the talent. We just don't need to rush and take shortcuts and to bribe or do things that the game doesn't allow."