Igesund axed, but no replacement named yet
IT came as no surprise last night when the axe fell on Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund just days after his return from the Australasia tour with the national team.
That trip, which resulted in back-to-back draws against Fifa World Cup-bound Australia and New Zealand, had no bearing on Igesund's future – the SA Football Association national executive members had long made up their minds about the coach.
Safa president Danny Jordaan, flanked by his task team, would not say who the association would hire to replace Igesund, adding that the nationality of the next Bafana coach would not matter. "It's a national team and must achieve international success. We will speak to as many candidates as we can in trying to find a person who can rebuild this Bafana brand," Jordaan said.
Ex-Bafana coach Carlos Quieroz and Nigeria mentor Stephen Keshi, as well as Ruud Krol, who is out of a job after being sacked by Tunisian side Esperance last month, have apparently made the shortlist. Both Quieroz and Keshi are off to the World Cup with Iran and the Super Eagles respectively.
Jordaan said an announcement would be made in the middle of next month before Bafana begin their African Nations Cup qualifying campaign for next year's tournament in Morocco. He said after last night's press conference that he, along with his task team, would not waste any time and would hit the ground running in search of a new coach.
Igesund's tenure, which began in July 2012 and included two mandates – taking South Africa to "at least" the semifinals of last year's Nations Cup and the World Cup – was never short of drama.
The coach failed in both targets and has been skating on thin ice since, despite his contract only expiring on August 30.
Safa Eastern Cape chairman Mzimkhulu Fina did not want to make any predictions about who would take over from Igesund until he had seen the official shortlist.
"Once I have seen the list, I will pick my favourite for the position like any other soccer fan. But, for now, it is difficult to say."
Fina, who also serves on the Safa national executive committee, did not believe any one person could be blamed for Bafana's failings. "It is a combination of factors that contributes to a team's performance. Maybe a new coach is all they need, or maybe some players, or members of the technical staff, should be replaced. Hopefully, we can get this sorted out and get Vision 2022 back on track."
Although Safa Nelson Mandela Bay regional president Monde Mhletywa agreed that no one person was at fault, he said Bafana were in need of fresh ideas and he supported the decision to end Igesund's contract. He hoped either a South African or an African coach would be put at the helm of the national side.
He said it was too early to say who would succeed Igesund, but hoped under-20s coach Shakes Mashaba had added his name to the list. "He has achieved many great things with our young players, and he understands the current situation within Bafana. I think he would be a good candidate."
According to South African soccer website soccerladuma.co.za, Igesund has accepted Safa's decision.
"My contract ends in August and Safa has decided not to renew it, it's as simple as that. I have obviously accepted the decision," he was quoted as saying.
"It's been a privilege and honour to coach Bafana and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Life goes on." - Mazola Molefe and Riaan Marais
