Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi says the time-wasting in the DStv Premiership, and how referees police it, is a major concern.
Mngqithi suggested time-wasting may be a factor in SA football underachieving internationally, where Bafana Bafana struggle to qualify for major tournaments.
“It’s something that everybody should start looking at — we shouldn’t copy these wrong habits because we will always worry why we are not doing well at international level,” he said. “Maybe it’s because we don’t play as many minutes. If you look at how tired Chippa were in the second half, but if you count how many minutes the ball was in play, you will realise that we are cheating our football. That might have a negative effect on international football because we can’t sustain intensive action for longer periods.
“At least if we were to play 70 or 80 minutes [of the ball in play] per match that would be good enough to make us a stronger nation at international level. “I don’t think people are looking at this thing closely because nobody seems to bother much, but if we don't pay attention I think it will have a negative impact. If teams have stoppages, then they should have longer optional time.”