Building better football futures from Soweto to Barcelona with the IBERCUP International tournament
Michael Bender, CEO of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona Academy SA and the IberCup International youth tournament
by Staff Reporter
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025. 14:00
When done correctly, football isn’t just a game, it becomes a rhythm, a dance between two skilful opponents. In South Africa, our players are known for bringing flair and creativity to the pitch. Contrast this with European football, where structure, discipline, and tactical precision reign supreme. These two worlds collided at the recent IBERCUP international youth football tournament, where over 200 local teams got to compete against some of the biggest names in world football, showcasing the opportunity and potential of providing local players a platform to show their skills and blend the styles of football.
More than a game
Tournaments like IBERCUP are vital, not only for identifying top talent, but also for giving young players exposure, mentorship and the chance to measure themselves against the best in the world. They allow them to get recognised by top scouts and even at times a shot to go pro, playing in leagues such as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) or National First Division.
And for those who don’t go pro? Sport still matters. Experts link participation in structured sports programmes to higher school attendance, improved mental health and better life outcomes, especially in under-resourced communities.
A tale of two systems
Michael Bender, CEO of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona Academy SA and the IberCup International youth tournament, believes South Africa’s football potential is massive, however, he points out that key differences between local and European development systems often influence how young talent is nurtured and how it progresses.
“European players benefit from some of the best facilities and coaching in the world,” he explains. “Their academies don’t just focus on technical skills, but also on cognitive development, psychology and nutrition. They train five days a week, on the field and in the classroom.”
In contrast, South African youth teams tend to train a lot less and often without the support of proper infrastructure. But, Bender is quick to point out, “There’s no lack of talent here. What’s missing is systemic support at the grassroots level.”
Dylan McKnight, Academy Manager at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, says the difference in system maturity is evident in how quickly European players are prepared for the professional level. “In Europe, by 17, players are ready to take a shot at breaking into the first team,” he says. “Think of players like Lamine Yamal or even Raheem Sterling, who made their first team debuts as teenagers. In South Africa, coaches often hesitate to take that leap with young talent.”
Furthermore, Bender states that South Africans tend to play a more direct and physical game, often employing a one versus one (dribbling) tactic, long balls are frequently played over the back line to penetrate the last line of defence to create an attacking format and they play a more compact game in the mid and last quarter of a field. In contrast, European teams play a slower, more expansive game and their technical ability is far more advanced than their South African counterparts. “However, more technical ability doesn’t necessarily mean that local teams can’t compete,” he says.
Bender recalls Kaizer Chiefs’ shock victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first round of the recent IBERCUP Tournament. “Chiefs played brilliantly to beat the Parisian team. They are clearly talented, however PSG came back and beat them in the final, but only after analysing video footage and adapting their tactics. That’s the kind of learning opportunity our tournament creates for local coaches and players,” he explained.
Participating in organised sport doesn’t just benefit the players, it helps keep communities connected too. Through the support of companies like Vuma, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona get to provide resources to develop woman’s football, and key initiatives to grow the sport in impoverished areas, the Vuma initiative helps develop players, bridge divides and foster growth.
Taylor Kwong, Head of Marketing at Vuma, says, “We believe in the power of connection on and off the pitch. That’s why we support initiatives like IBERCUP and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona Academy. By helping to enable growth and connectivity, we believe that we help foster communities with dignity.
“These types of competitions help show young people how much is possible when you connect them to new opportunities. And when young people see that a new world is possible, they start to believe they can shape it too.”
For more information on IBERCUP or RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, visit: https://ibercup.co.za/ or https://espanyolacademy.co.za