So much has happened to football and in particular its drastic evolution over the years is what keeps me puzzled to this day.

All around the world, people have rapidly adapted to the diverse changes which the game has gone through. The introduction of technology and the increment of literacy level of those directly involved in the game has in my opinion been the catalyst for the introduction of more professionalism in the game.

Players are now equipped not only with skills, but whit the mental ability of handling situations during the games and making swift decisions in a split of a second, even though these decision on the pitch would require a profound thought under normal circumstances.

Although in some places, due to the lack of resources the new trends being brought into the game are introduced at the chameleon’s pace, what is important to see though, is that football has gone through massive improvements.

For instance, all over the world, there was this ideology about the game which was adopted by the super power houses of football across the world which the emerging nations in the world just emulated without even considering how much would that suit their style of play or how much would that dent their football identity as a nation.

But now with the modernization of the game, and with more nations being able to be up-to-speed with the development of technology and adherence to globalization across the Universe, some countries have finally rediscovered their own football identity, and the success they have achieved over the years is there to justify why they needed changes implemented in the way they played the game.

In countries like South Africa, England, Nigeria, Italy and many other countries in the world, the position of a particular player on the field was determined by the number engraved on his jersey. If the player played with the jersey number three for example, it was ‘rightfully’ assumed that the player would be deployed on the left back position, and he had to be a natural left foot player.

The role of players (like the anchorman) was preached to them, so much so that most of them had this mentality that their role on the field was just to destroy the opposition’s attack, cover his colleagues and mark the opposition.

Another myth which some countries have fortunately demystified was that players had to be above 20 years old – plus, to play at the highest level or in a senior team.

Well, if the role of a player is limited in the field, then in my opinion we would be crippling our chances of seeing the true beauty of the game. Players like Paul Scholes, Felipe Melo, Gatusso, Michael Essien, Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, Tinashe Nengomasha, Saidu Keita, Frank Lampard, Steve Gerard, Makelele and many others would have never - ever be called stars in the beautiful game.

Today football has been seen as an art and only those who master it well are able to be victorious in the end. Now, not only the teams find euphoria on match day, but even the average man on the stands finds it worthwhile catching a football spectacle at the stadium.

This is how players did their work on the field, compared to today

• Not putting too much pressure in marking in the opposition half.
• They did not use well the spaces in the field, contrary to today. The movement off the ball today is much quicker.
• Players enjoyed having more time with the ball in their feet, whereas today it is touch - and make space for the team mate.
• Position of play was always according to the jersey number.
• Position of play was always permanent. If a player was a winger, he would play on the wing for the entire ninety (90) minutes. He would not be switched to the flanks or drop out of the box.
• There was not so much planning for set pieces like we see today. Teams nowadays plan to win games on set pieces with good executions and calculated shots.
• The role of the anchor player or defensive midfielder was always to destroy and marking; not to attack. Today we look at Essien and we see how the game has evolved.
• The Strikers would always be in the box; they would never come deep, or drop out of the box, or try to explore the flanks.

This is how the game was played compared to today, and countries that have adopted the new methods of playing the game are quite successful, while those that have shown resistance in adopting the new trends have showed tangible sings of lack of knowledge about modern football.

In the African Cup of Nations which is taking place in Angola for example, we see countries that struggle to get the correct tempo and maintain pressure till the last minute.

Starting with the disbelief in young players, to the lack of planning for specific situations that may eventually happen in the field, these teams struggle through out the tournament while others bow out when we least expected.

Thumbs up should be given the Ghanaian coach who had the guts to bring to the Afcon an ‘inexperienced team’ but his bravery shows that he is not a free rider who depends on so called ‘big name players’ to win him games. His regular players were not fit to take part of the tournament while one was alleged to be disrespectful to him and he (the coach) set a great precedent in the team in terms of discipline. It takes a brave man to do that to a ‘star’ player and arguably the countries’ favourite.

Before being a coach, as a man, one has got to have principles; No matter if the player has a big name, or if he is the countries favourite, if the player is out of form or is not respectful, he should be dropped; no two ways about it.

Another thing that I think I should talk about was the way Zambia played. Chris Katongo was in superb form, with great speed in attack and defending well too, but we see very few players like him. He is not a young player anymore therefore in for this particular case it is important that coaches slowly introduce young players to play with players like him so that they (young players) can learn and get experience. That is the only way young players will have experience.

Coaches have to see that when young players go against older players they strive to compete and by competing they get mature.

I hope Ghana will continue with this great transformation of their football. Some times names mean nothing because names are for history. Players who build names in football need to be consistent. We at Orlando Pirates have had tremendous success with young players being promoted to the first team. Some were thrown in the deep in a derby, and they lived up to expectations.

Lucas Twala, Thabang Radebe, Kelebogile Mabe, Solly Mathe, Benedict Vilakazi, Gifth Leremi, Phomudzo Manenzhe, Lebogang Mokoena, Joseph Makhanya, Tlou Segolela and others have done us proud, and people should look at where they are today and perhaps try to do the same.

As I often say, when we introduce young players in to a first team, it does not mean that they their development or learning period is over. They are still young, therefore they will have to be handled carefully.

We should not be shy to look at the coach from Ghana and have the same courage that he had.

Catch me here next week.

Professor Augusto Palacios