DEVELOPMENT OF FREESTYLE SOCCER IN SOUTH AFRICA
South African soccer has always been synonymous with flair and an element of showboating. In the 1970s and 80s players like Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Professor Ngubane and Jomo Sono won over the hearts of millions of fans with their sublime skill and ability to entertain crowds albeit often at the expense of their less talented colleagues.
With South Africa coming out of international isolation and our football leagues turning professional in the 90’s less emphasis was placed on entertainment and more on results. In townships and pick up games all around the country ‘diski-style’ football and showboating is still very much part of the game but at the professional level this aspect has slowly drifted from the game as clubs feel the pressure of results and making a profit.
So where did all these players go…they never disappeared they just had to find new ways of showing their skill and entertaining crowds. Freestyle soccer is not new to South Africa but with the introduction of the Red Bull Street Style Event, players now have a forum to display their incredible skills and learn from one another as freestyle soccer progresses and develops into a sport of its own.
Guys who used to juggle an old beat up ball on a dusty field to entertain a few kids are now performing all over the country to large crowds and the standard of freestyle football has been the biggest beneficiary. Chris Njokwana, one of the trailblazers of freestyle football in this country is quick to agree. “Its amazing how quickly freestylers have improved in this country…a couple of years ago if you could do a few basic tricks you were considered a freestyler now young kids are doing those tricks and we’ve had to up our game to international standards,” he says.
Njokwana himself was placed joint fifth at the previous Red Bull Street Style International final in Sao Paolo, and although he won’t be competing in this years finals admits that the standard and competition will be of the highest order. “Events like Red Bull Street Style have brought freestylers from all over the world together and we now compete and learn from each other all the time…so new tricks and routines are being invented and improved on every week…its crazy!”
Hosting the World Final of such an event will no doubt be the next big step for freestyle soccer in South Africa. Having the top freestylers from all over the world showcasing their skills will no doubt not only raise the profile of freestyle soccer but also attract a brand new generation of young freestylers. There is so much young talent in this country and the Red Bull Street Style competition allows them to showcase their talents even if they aren’t the best footballers in the world…free style is not soccer anymore, it’s developed into a sport of its own with its own superstars.
The Final will take place in Cape Town on the 28 April on the Grand Parade in front of the Castle. Tickets are available at Shoprite/Checkers, www.computicket.com or 083 915 8000. Tickets are limited so early booking is essential.
