Stars of Africa Football Academy director Farouk Khan says forgotten former Bafana Bafana star Tokelo Rantie could have achieved more than the legendary Benni McCarthy in global football.
The former Bournemouth, Genclerbirligi, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker has won no less than six major trophies in his football career, including the Swedish and the Premier Soccer League titles.
Khan says living a wrong lifestyle off the pitch is what cut the 33-year-old's career short.
READ: Yadah struggle without Billiat after controversial 'slap'
"You know when you go through the challenges that he's been around, mostly he's been back in his home province of Free State with his family, trying to sort out his life," Khan explains, in an interview with this website.
"He went through a very traumatic time in life with the divorce etcetera. He is a human being first before he is a player and people must understand that. Sometimes we judge him without looking at what he's achieved in his shortest period. Can you imagine what he could have achieved if he played for another five or six years?" quizzed Khan.
"He made history in a short period. Can you imagine if he had played as long as Benni McCarthy and the other strikers South Africa has produced? I mean, it's frightening to think of what he could have achieved. He could have achieved more."
The former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach also reveals what made Rantie tick at the peak of his powers.
"He was special, a goalscorer, and a striker of note, and he had speed. People forget he was the only player to score the first two goals [for Bafana Bafana] in Nigeria, something nobody else has done in Nigeria besides him. He was the first player to score two goals in Nigeria against Nigeria. That's when Nigeria started to respect us South Africa even more.
"It's just that sometimes there's that element of lifestyle. If you come from a background similar to the one he had and you are suddenly successful, it becomes difficult. The problem starts with our social life and families. We have to start teaching kids the fundamentals at a young age.
Khan bemoans the fact the burly marksman joined the academy at 16, and wished he had him when he was nine, as well as that he could have moved to Europe sooner.
"When you start developing a player at a late age, it's impossible to undo the bad habits that they picked up during their youth. If you look generally across the players that are in South African football, even in the Premiership, the majority of the players are alcoholic, and that's a culture we need to change.
"In England, there was the same culture, but they've changed. In England, players were alcoholic, but now it's no more drinking after the match .
"Rantie was with me on Friday. he wants to start giving back to football, he wants to contribute to the province of Free State because there is so much talent and so little happening there. With the local MEC there and the government people, they want to start a development programme.
"So, he came to us at Stars of Africa Academy for support and assistance, which we're gladly going to give to him.
READ: 'Rhee' makes COSAFA plea after Mzansi awards clean sweep
"Besides developing him as a player, we also developed his mind as far as coaching and development is concerned. If you give him a group of players, he knows exactly what to do because he is coming from a background where he was taught the right things. he wants to change other lives like his life was changed.
"His nephew has been with us for the last two, three years, a phenomenal and fantastic player that is quick like him, and he is going to become a very good striker.
"He is now retired and he's got to start looking a this future in football, plow back using the knowledge and experience."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!