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Cape Town - Former Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett, who is still the second highest scorer at national team level behind Benni McCarthy, says most South African players take football just as a hobby, and not a job or career.
He told Sport24 that that's one of the reasons most of them fail to last in Europe.
Bartlett said there are very few players who put in extra work after the two hour team training is over, as they really don't care.
"Here in South Africa, though the money is relatively good, most of the players take football just as a hobby," the former Golden Arrows coach said.
“They go to training for two hours and that's all. They don't put in their own time after the team training.
“In Europe the players know that football is their job and they give everything to improve their game.
“Like in England players are at training from 10am until 4pm because it's work.
“They take care of their bodies because that's what makes money for them.
“Here at home we don't do that and it's not good.
“Football is not a hobby, but a job and career.”
