The head of Augusto Palacios Apprentice Academy, Augusto Palacios has identified what he thinks is the reason our recent exports are not doing well abroad.
According to the former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana head coach, local players must first become regulars in their Premier Soccer League clubs before they are shipped to Europe.
"Our players don't struggle because of lack of talent, sometimes it's because they are rushed," Palacios told KickOff.
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"We should ask ourselves when is the correct time to send players overseas.
"Just because a player is playing good here then you send him overseas, it can't be like that.
"I think the correct time to send a player abroad is when he has matured. A player who played more games in the PSL is better. Look at the player's body structure before you send him to Europe. There you need a strong body.
"If a player is ready for Europe he will be able to pass the trial and succeed. Agents must only take for trials players who are ready, players who are regulars in their clubs," he added.
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"When a player is a regular in his team it prepares him for Europe. Players are moving to the United States...but is it the right time for them to go?
"A player needs to be mentally prepared to make it in Europe. He must expect different food, sometimes different language and different culture. These are the reasons too many of our players return to the country and not make it.
"Also, before sending players abroad, check first which league or country he might fit well in. We are talking about a mental approach. As a country, yes, we do have potential, talent and quality, but we must avoid situations where our players go overseas just to warm the bench.
"Players they first need to be strong physically because over there there is a lot of contact. Sometimes they look at the height before signing a player.
"Sometimes I feel our players leave for overseas too soon. Going overseas is good for our players, but we need to prepare them well and not rush them, or else they will keep on failing," Palacios concluded.