Andrew Rabutla during the Mopani Champ of Champs playoffs at Namakgale last weekend.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Former Bafana Bafana and Jomo Cosmos player Andrew “Jaws of Life” Rabutla has provided valuable advice to young, talented players regarding the significance of not hastening through crucial football development stages in their pursuit to participate in the Premier Soccer League.
During an interview with the Mopani Times newspaper at the Mopani Champ of Champs playoffs in Namakgale last Saturday, the 52-year-old emphasized the importance of lower leagues, such as the HollywoodBets and ABC Motsepe leagues, in offering players essential training required for top-class football. Drawing from his own career trajectory, which commenced in the National Soccer League second division and led to top-flight football with Jomo Cosmos and PAOK in Greece, Rabutla’s guidance carries significant weight.
Currently, in the capacity of managing players in the PSL, Rabutla empathetically articulates his concern for prematurely introduced young talents, who face challenges in transitioning back to lower leagues after setbacks in the PSL, thus inhibiting their return to top-level football.