David Notoane and Thabo September reflect on the positive impact of the DStv Diski Challenge in South Africa’s successful Afcon campaign.

The DStv Diski Challenge marks 10 years since its inception and revamp from what was originally the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. In that time, countless graduates have gone on to ply their trade in the DStv Premiership, with an elite few going one further and representing the country.

The Bafana Bafana squad of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup (AFCON), played in 2024, boasts 10 such graduates, yet again proving how vital a cog in the South African developmental structures the DStv backed Diski Challenge is.

“The programme has shown over the years to create a nice buffer for the transition of players into the DStv Premiership,” said Mamelodi Sundowns youth coach and former South African U23 coach David Notoane.

“They have gone through the Diski Challenge programme and today we see them at AFCON having gone through the junior national teams.”

The creation of this pipeline has undoubtedly had significant technical and tactical effects on the kinds of players produced. However, in Notoane’s view, who coached the likes of Percy Tau, it is important to recognise the positive impact on the psychological side of the game as well.

“The Diski Challenge gives them (players) the opportunity to transition not only from the physical and technical (aspect) but also from a mental aspect. To understand the do’s and the don’ts, the pros and the cons of being in an environment.”

Mental hurdles such as the frustration of limited playing minutes and the lack of selection are but a few barriers young players tend to battle. Graduates such as Jayden Adams and Oswin Appollis have seen themselves in such circumstances during the Afcon tournament.

In Notoane’s view, the players ability to deal with this stems from the experience gained from the DStv Diski Challenge. “It helps because it replicates what is happening within the senior team context.”

DSTV DISKI CHALLENGE GRADUATES IN BAFANA BAFANA AFCON SQUAD

- Grant Kekana
- Evidence Makgopa
- Percy Tau
- Teboho Mokoena
- Jayden Adams
- Ricardo Goss
- Oswin Appollis
- Aubrey Modiba
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
- Thapelo Maseko

Former SuperSport United youth coach, Thabo September, takes it further in respect to the positive mental effects of early television exposure.

“Players are no longer overwhelmed,” September explains. “Remember back in the days, players stayed in the location then played on TV for the first time. Suddenly (there’s) hype about them in the location.

“But they are being exposed to all of that at an early age. And while they are young, living under their parents or in the clubhouse – they get to be groomed for this.”

The impact of a safe space amid an ever-changing world for young players cannot be overstated. Ultimately, this rooted upbringing translates onto the pitch where players can deal with the pressures of playing for big crowds.

The results are clear to see as when players make first-team club or, in this case, international appearances, they look and perform as comfortably as one can in such a high-pressure environment. No one seems to enjoy this progress more than the supporters.

“Supporters are the ones who are pushing teams for the players because of the exposure they get from the Diski Challenge,” September expands with a sense of pride. “It creates that extension where if [they] support the team, they support the junior team as well.”

The buy-in from supporters in youth development and integration has widespread positive ramifications both at club and national level. The inclusion of particularly the younger DStv Diski Challenge graduates lowered the average age of the Bafana Bafana team.

The younger the national team, the greater the growth potential and possibility for sustained success. Furthermore, football fans are traditionally more patient and invested in younger players.

This ultimately fortifies the connection between the players and supporters, a phenomenon evidenced through the DStv Diski Challenge attendance records. In some cases, more supporters flock to see their youngsters over the first team.

In a time when the bridge of support between supporters and Bafana Bafana is being rebuilt, the DStv Diski Challenge is primed to play an indelible role in this fruition.

All things considered, it is the time spent on the field of play afforded by the DStv Diski Challenge that has proven the most significant benefit, in the view of Notoane. The effects on the national team pipeline are a highlight of his.

“The younger ones who didn’t quality at U17, U20 or especially from an U23 perspective, you can bring them into camp knowing they have some playing minutes behind them,” he states. “That has helped in terms of the talent pool and data base within the framework of the national team.”

The ripple effects flood beyond the pitch onto the touchline and the offices, which ultimately aid the growth of players who go on to represent Bafana Bafana.

“This programme presents lots of benefits as a pathway for younger talents in terms of players, coaches and administrators,” Notoane effuses.

“Although there might not be direct records, but I know a few guys that have moved from managing a Diski team to being a part of the first team or supporting the first team.”

All that said, it is the satisfaction of seeing the likes of Teboho Mokoena and Thapelo Maseko on the pitch that truly gives the DStv Diski Challenge its shine.

“We live for the players to go to the first team and national teams,” September affirms. “That’s the exposure we get to prepare these players for- for bigger things to come. It’s a great platform for everyone involved.”

DSTV DISKI CHALLENGE FIXTURES

Giant Stadium, Soshanguve

10 February 2024
- 12pm - TS Galaxy vs Stellenbosch –– SuperSport Variety 4
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11 February 2024
- 12pm - AmaZulu vs Sekhukhune United –– SuperSport Variety 4
- 2pm - Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates –– SuperSport Variety 4