Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy has urged former players to get back into football and help the future stars develop as players.

The former Bafana Bafana defender conducted coaching clinics, which helped identify talent at the annual Solar Youth Cup that took place at JTG Region in Northern Cape.

In attendance was Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan, the entire Northern Cape Safa executive, and NEC member Ria Ledwaba.

McCarthy believes it’s important for the former players to attain their coaching badges, go through coaching courses and help future stars develop.

“In most cases, former players complain from the sidelines that they are being marginalised, but that is not true. We must not sit on the sidelines and complain without doing anything to uplift the game,” McCarthy told Safa.net.

“We have a lot of opportunities to help grow and identify talent. In most cases especially in far-flung areas, there is massive talent but because the players are not coached properly, that talent at times goes to waste.

“It is our duty as former players to attain coaching badges and help implement what Safa is trying to achieve; that is identify and polish the budding talent and grow the game.”

Former Bidvest Wits midfielder Stanton Fredericks echoed McCarthy’s words and was also part of the talent scouts, together with Arthur Zwane and U20 coach Molefi Ntseki.

Fredericks says he was impressed by the talent in the Northern Cape, adding that the province will produce big name stars in the future.

“There is too much talent here in JTG Region and Northern Cape as a whole and I think this initiative, which is being helped by various corporates, will soon reap rich rewards,” Fredericks said.

“This Province has too much talent not to have a National First Division club, let alone the Premier Soccer League team. But that is likely to change soon if the Province continues working hard.”