“It is obvious that all the information that the CEO
(Robin Petersen) is talking about is fed to him by someone. But the question is
‘who is that person?’ Chairman of the Technical Committee (Fanyana Sibanyoni)
was unaware of these changes in the national team. This shows that there’s
someone who is so powerful that he doesn’t see the need to even consult that
committee, as if it doesn’t exit,” said Yengwa!
The KZN-based coach, who served as an assistant coach to
Sheryl Botes, was inexplicably not included in the team that travelled to
Botswana and, while he was not fired from his position, had his replacement
appointed for the trip.
“The explanation that I got from the CEO was that he had
spoken to the coach (Sheryl Botes) to say when appointing assistant coaches
proper channels had to be followed, this with regard to the assistant coach who
replaced me. But my main concern or question was what was the reason or who was
behind leaving me behind and that question wasn’t covered in the letter. So,
after that incident and considering a number of things like the fact that I was
only invited late to the Symposium on the last minute and a whole lot of
issues, I then decided that what would bring me at peace was if I resigned,”
explained the Yengwa, who is completing his Master’s Degree in Sports Science.
The Yengwa saga, more than anything, depicts the
maladministration that is the order of the day at SAFA. Firstly, the exclusion
and replacement of the Durban-based coach was unconstitutional, but
MaximalFootball.com advices that no investigation or punitive measures should
be expected from the untouchable powers-that-be at SAFA. According to the SAFA
Constitution, under ‘Regulations on the allocation of functions to standing committees’,
it is plainly stated that “the (technical) committee shall recommend coaches,
instructors and trainers to the National Executive Committee.” In this case,
MaximalFootball.com,
based on Fanyana’ statement can categorically state that the committee was not
consulted. How does it happen that the Chairman of the Technical Committee, who
is also a member of the National Executive Committee, would not have a clue of
such changes? Secondly, it is also clearly stated that all national teams’
appointments should be advertised and candidates be interviewed before they are
appointed. Nonetheless, while Yengwa’s replacement was appointed, no position
was advertised and no interviews were conducted. There are many other
appointments of the same nature within SAFA, which makes it clear that nepotism
is not seen as an offence in the SAFA House.
While Yengwa believes that perhaps the CEO is ‘only fed
information by someone’, and as result he’s perhaps not as guilty as the force
behind this entire saga, until Petersen comes out and shames those behind this
unacceptable disregard of SAFA’s constitution and protocols, from where
MaximalFootball.com stands he is the guilty party. MaximalFootball.com
understands that whenever national teams have to travel coaches submit the list
of all people travelling with the National teams to the CEO to sign off. When
Petersen signed off the list of the group to travel to Botswana, being the
competent CEO he is, he would have picked up that Yengwa had been replaced.
However, Petersen signed off the list anyway. That makes him guilty! What’s the
punishment for such incredible abuse of power, which goes so far that even the
SAFA constitution is disregarded?
“It is so sad, because I’d like to believe that the CEO
should have picked that up,” Yengwa lamented.
Making Petersen even guiltier is, while he should have
tried to investigate the matter, he instead saw the need to defend the
discrepancy when he sent a letter to Yengwa stating that while he acknowledged
his (Yengwa’s) academic background, he didn’t have SAFA’s Level 3
qualification. This despite the fact that Yengwa guided the Banyana Banyana’s
‘B’ Team to the semifinal of the All Africa Game in Mozambique last year and
played an important as an assistant coach to Banyana Banyana head coach, Joseph
Mkhonza. Why did the issue of Level 3 not matter at the time? How many Safa
coaches have Sport Science background?
“While they mention that I don’t have their Level 3
qualification they don’t mention that I have been attending coaching courses in
Netherlands and Brazil,” Yengwa explained. “But I also don’t understand why the
issue of Level 1 and Level 3 is coming in now after they had messed up. I have
Level 1 and I won’t deny that, but if I had to choose between completing my
Master’s Degree in Sports Science and going for Level 2 and 3, I would
obviously go for my Master’s Degree.”
Some
of the reactions:
“What will it take for SAFA leadership to act against
these 'technical' experts within, who are destroying South African football
with their 'dirty' politics! The so-called Technical Director should be called
to answer for this chaos in our National teams, these are not 'his' teams but
belong to the nation. Is he so 'untouchable' that he cannot be called to order!
I call on the whole Technical Committee to resign en-masse as it's obvious that
there are serious contraventions of SAFA statutes, as the Technical Director
makes autocratic decisions,” wrote Sudesh Singh.
“Spot on Sudesh, Serame is the one who manipulates those
appointments of coaches at Safa and you can see that those who are hired belong
to his gang. I think the investigation must start with him,” wrote Jacob ‘Pro’
Ngwane.
“I happy that Bongani Yengwa is not stooping to the level
of using tribalism as a reason. It just goes on to show the quality of the man.
We just pray that it is also not about technical intellect alienation. Football
coaching is not only about professional football or national teams. We need the
expertise of guys like Bongani in KZN grassroots football. This football
business needs all of us. People in positions of power must learn to play the
ball not the man. I complained about unfair treatment during the Level 3 course
and the Coach Education department decided to get rid of me. SAFA officials in
the administration cannot deal with independant guys.,” wrote Thabo Dladla.
Petersen is guilty and, as the CEO, must explain how such
maladministration is allowed to take place . Why does SAFA continue to snub
those men with distinguished Sport Science and overseas coaching qualifications
– Zipho Dlangalala, Thabo Dladla, Sudesh Singh, Bongani Yengwa, etc.? What’s the role of the Technical Director in
this mess?
By Maximal Football
Editor
Original
story: http: http://goo.gl/blU0b
Email: editor@maximalfootball.com
