After four matches in the qualifying series of the World Cup 2010 and the African Cup of Nation, Seychelles Pirates remain without a single point.
Our participation in these top competitions seems to be just that, we are only participating because as a member of FIFA we have an obligation to do so. For many supporters, this looks like a waste of time and money because we have yet to see our national team perform at the level necessary to win matches.
We did make a great attempt with Burkina Faso enough so to impress their coach and players, who stated that their match with Seychelles was one of the best they have played in the qualifying rounds. But where does that leave the Seychelles Pirates? This time around we did enlist the technical know-how of Dutch expert Jan Mak but his time with the Pirates is now over and we have two more matches to play in 2 months time.
For many who has followed the Pirates what we seem to lack is the skill and technique to set up a game plan from the line of defence through to the attackers. So far in most games this has not worked and in some cases has been non-existent. Our players simply cannot move the ball around from one end of the field to the other and this is one of the most important factors in any football match.
For many football enthusiasts the question they keep asking is how long is Seychelles going to perform at the same level year in and out? The setting up of the school of excellence targeting players at a young age has so far not bring about any major benefit. The programme however is a good beginning if the Federation can make it work
The main task is keeping the young footballers on the programme because as it is with school and other activities going on, many of them do not always attend training and for many of them do not necessarily take this opportunity to become better players. What is obviously lacking is working on the morale of these young and getting them to see how privileged they are to have been chosen for the school of excellence. Then many as they grow older, the whole footballing attitude will change and hopefully our level of football will improve.
Meanwhile the Seychelles Pirates still have to face Burundi on the 5th September and Tunisia on the 10th October in their final qualifying matches.