The
South African Football Association (SAFA) today (Tuesday, 10 July 2012)
announced the Bafana Bafana technical team that would surround new Head Coach,
Gordon Igesund, in his quest to take the South African Senior Men’s National
Team to success in the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 and in qualifying for the
FIFA World Cup 2014.
The
position of Bafana Bafana full-time Assistant Coach has gone to long-serving
Supersport United Assistant Coach, Thomas Madigage. Madigage was Igesund’s
first choice for the position, as he wanted to work with an assistant coach who
has achieved great success in that position and who would complement his own
style and strengths.
“There
were many great candidates that I considered,” said Igesund, “but I am
delighted that Tommy has accepted this position, and I look forward to working
with him with immediate effect.”
SAFA
CEO, Dr Robin Petersen, thanked Supersport United for their willingness to
release Madigage at short notice for national duty.
“We
are grateful to the club for allowing us to take Tommy into our National team
structures. We realize that this has a negative impact on them, but we applaud
them for allowing us to put the country first,” said Dr Petersen.
Other
key appointments to the Technical team are as follows:
Mr
Serame Letsoaka – Second Assistant Coach (for national team camps)
Mr
Alex Heredia – Goalkeeper Coach
Mr
Zak van Heerden – Physiologist/Physical Trainer
Dr
Carl Tabane – Team Doctor
Mr
Godfrey Sepuru – Physiotherapist
Mr
Thabiso Moshane – Masseur
Video
Analysts – AMISCO
Chairman
of the SAFA Technical Committee, Mr Fanyana Sibanyoni, also announced that the
Bafana Bafana’s Head Coach had requested that a Reference Group, consisting of
Mr Jomo Sono, Mr Clive Barker and Mr Shakes Mashaba, be appointed by the
Association to provide input and support.
“We
are delighted with this ‘brains trust’,” said Mr Sibanyoni. “They will assist
the coach as needed by him. Gordon recommended this panel to us, and we are
convinced that this panel will provide him with the necessary support he needs
in getting the best out of the team.”
President
of SAFA, Mr Kirsten Nematandani, expressed his delight at the finalization of
the technical team.
“Now
that the Coach has concluded this critical matter in line with his preferred
choices, we pledge the Association’s full support to him and his team as they
undertake this exciting and challenging journey. We ask the nation to rally
around them and carry them to anticipated success.”
