We can't afford to let them down!

Let me open this week's column by congratulating Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants on their impressive wins in the Carling Knockout semifinals against Richards Bay FC and Golden Arrows, respectively.

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I wish both teams all the best in the final, scheduled to be played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium early next month. Congratulations to our National U17s as well for reaching the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and I wish them well in the next game. By the same token, I want to extend my congratulations to Siya Kolisi on his 100th test match and the Springboks' impressive win against France. I also want to wish Bafana Bafana all the best in their international friendly against Zambia in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.

Yamal challenging for the Ballon d'Or at 18, then that should motivate any youngster to believe they can also make things happen. Are we doing well because a lot of our Betway Premiership teams have four or five U20 players featuring regularly in their games? These are just some of the questions I am asking myself but, unfortunately, I don't have all the answers.

On junior coaches