Man U & Kaizer Chiefs Can Do With Scouting course “Introduction to International Football Scouting” course launches in South Africa

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

CAPE TOWN/South Africa: Football is certainly the world’s biggest sporting code.

Big football clubs have massive global support gunning into the tens of millions of fanatics of ‘The Beautiful Game’, passionately following their favourite soccer clubs either through the media; social media to the Internet.

These football diehards see football as ‘More Than Game’, as one documentary/film is titled.

It’s a game where friendships, relationships, partnerships and bonds are forged and made.

That is why when some of the most loved football brands like Manchester United from England and Kaizer Chiefs from South Africa, are unable to bring the joy and celebration the two are accustomed to provide for their supporters all over the world, serious questions abound.

For Kaizer Chiefs, for close to 10 years this year, the biggest football club in Africa with a fanbase of over 100 million supporters and over 500 branches all over the world, has not won an official trophy in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

And there’s one question that lingers around.

And that question is: what will happen to Kaizer Chiefs, South African and African football, should this great institution further decline?

The answer is difficult to bring forth.

But it’s scary to think that things could get worse for Chiefs.

As for the ‘Red Devils’, Manchester United, they last won the English Premier League (EPL) in 2013.

It’s surely painful and hard to believe for United supporters and many football lovers in general, that such a powerful football entity has not been champions in England and elsewhere for more than 10 years.

For what it’s worth both clubs have been at it behind the scenes, this is clear to see, as management of these global giants have appointed so many coaches in a short space of time in recent times, something that both clubs have not done ever before their trophy droughts commenced.

Both these struggling global brands Man U & Kaizer Chiefs can do with modernised and professionalised scouting programmes.

While the supporters are forever crying for the kind of players that suit the standard of both these great soccer brands.

One hot issue at hand that has often been asked over the years is the quality of recruitment and scouting departments at these two clubs and many other football clubs across the globe, for that matter.

For Kaizer Chiefs & South Africa, in this coming weekend, an opportunity arises for a turn- around in the football fortunes of the country.

With the launch of the “Introduction to International Football Scouting” course by the internationally renowned sports & football brand, V Agency, the country’s football structures would want to follow suit after their Nigerian counterparts have joined forces with V Agency in the development of football in Nigeria.

Although this weekend’s launch of the “Introduction to International Football Scouting” course will be focused on South Africa; and because this is an online programme, other countries and football lovers can join in as the application is done online too.

The “Introduction to International Football Scouting” programme will be facilitated and conducted by notable soccer brands including the likes of Kristiyan Nikolov: Sporting Director, PFC Septemvri Sofia; Toni Bilandzis: Chief Scout, FK Sarajevo; Márk Makrai: Head Scout, ZTE FC Zalaegerszeg and Premier League Legend, William Gallas – former captain of Arsenal, Chelsea legend, Tottenham star, and a France international.

Could it be that Kaizer Chiefs on the pitch challenges, may have influenced the Hungarian based V Agency to intervene in the South Africa football arena?

It would be difficult to say for now at least.

But one thing for sure, is that South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, had put the country on the global football map.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs outstanding performances on continental tournaments to date, has shown the world the great potential this country has.

Research shows that Chiefs continue to gain millions of supporters all over the world since their formation in 1970.

And that Kaizer Chiefs village called Naturena, which has become an international tourist destination, is one of the reasons that international sport and football groups want to work in and work with South Africa.

Where will this all lead to?

Only time will tell.

Thandisizwe Mgudlwa is a South African based Reporter. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Regenesys Business School: Certificate Number: REGEN4433