SA strikers, where art thou?

It is frightening to see the gulf in class between the English Premiership and our own. While the like of City, Liverpool and even Sunderland plundered four goals apiece over the weekend, South Africa’s finest combined for a completely underwhelming barrage of just nine goals in eight matches.

It is a shocking statistic, especially when you have to consider that most of our defences bear no comparison to Fort Knox. Some have suggested that the English game is littered with foreign talents, but last time I checked Messrs Defoe, Rooney and Bent have British passports.

How long will we ignore this glaring weakness, in a league where Benson Mhlongo — he of man-marking prowess — is among the leading scorers.

Strikers of South Africa, where art thou?

In England, it seems Manchester City is worth all the hype, after all. If we can push aside — for one second, at least — the kindergarten antics of their in-form striker, one can see a side with a major point to prove.

The win over Arsenal was laced with fortune, but Lady Luck does tend to smile upon those of cavalier spirit, and Mark Hughes’ side seems to have a bit of mongrel about them.

Some of their counter-attacking was absolutely top drawer, tearing away at Arsenal’s soft centre. Theirs was the biggest game of a hectic weekend, as it was their biggest test thus far and also a reunion for Emmanuel Adebayor and his old Gunner team-mates.

No one was expecting hugs and kisses, but even the bloodthirsty lunatics in the crowd would not have expected Adebayor’s stamp on Robin van Persie. It was cowardly and it was very dangerous. For that the FA should halt Adebayor’s sensational scoring spree for a few games at least.

As for his Usain Bolt like dash to the Arsenal end after his header, I don’t know why so many people are so surprised. Ever since he left Arsenal he has been labelled as a traitor, a money grabber, a mercenary and even a very poor man’s Didier Drogba.

I mean, what would you do if you had scored against a team that had slaughtered you to the media? I think it is probably more surprising that he didn’t kiss the City badge, strip to his underpants and perform a cartwheel routine that ended right under Arsene Wenger’s nose.

Now that would have been overdoing it!

City can most certainly mix it with the big boys, with a more settled back four and a whole host of attacking options at Hughes’ disposal. Did anyone even miss Robinho or Carlos Tevez on Saturday? And what of the highly rated Roque Santa Cruz? So even if Adebayor is slapped with a lengthy sulk in the corner to re-consider his actions, City will not be caught short up front.

This Sunday’s Manchester derby may well be City’s most personal match of the season. A chance to emerge — even briefly — from United’s shadow and stick a few fingers in the general direction of a certain Scotsman.

His “small team” barbs may well decorate the City changeroom, and they would love nothing more than to brighten Sir Alex’s red cheeks with a derby triumph.