I
swear that this is my last Bafana Bafana article this week as I’m changing my
gear back to the Premier Soccer League games and this weekend’s Telkom Knockout
Cup.
The
South African Football Association (SAFA) has injected a lot of millions to
improve Bafana Bafana performance in the last 16 years. SAFA even hired the
best coaches and also worst coaches during the process of building up Bafana
performance, but we never achieved any tangible accolade. We had many local and
foreign coaches but I will only focus on the following coaches;
1. Philippe Troussier
(France) -
He was dictator full of disrespect to players. He left after less than 6 games.
He even belittles Bafana captain Lucas Radebe in the camp.
2. Carlos Queiroz (Portugal)
- He
was a master tactician with highest soccer credentials but SAFA internal
politics pushed him away. He was told to "step aside" for Jomo Sono
to take over. Even today Queiroz doesn't understand the meaning of "step
aside" but to SAFA it means you’re fired but to him, it means have a cooling
break to resume duty later - talking about English.
3. Jomo Sono (South
Africa) -
He was in and out of Bafana team like it was his house. Jomo introduced Benni McCarthy
and many youngsters in the team but was never a long term coach. He is the
coach who introduced generational mix in the team but too many commitments were
hurdles for him to achieve his goal of building Bafana into African most feared
team. He is the first African and South African coach to win a FIFA world cup
game.
4. Stuart Baxter
(England) -
He cooked his illegitimate CV by adding more chakalaka to look good. He learned
the CV cooking skills from Jeff Butler. Bafana never played best football under
him as he lacks experience to coach full national team.
5. Alberto Carlos
Perreira (Brazil) -
He was the world finest coach with World Cup winning reputation earning
millions of money but failed to build up Bafana working system. He was full of
excuses. He is the first coach in the history of FIFA World Cup to fail the
host nation progressing into second round. He broke the record of the host
nation worst performer coach with Bafana Bafana. He was awarded FIFA wooden
ball for his failure.
6. Joel Santana (Brazil)
- He
was a factory fault Bafana coach who was here to collect money than coaching.
His soccer technique and tactics were mediocre. Santana was a comedian not a
coach. His appointment endorsed by Perreira was nothing but a pure joke and
insult to the Nation. Santana and Perreira were tendering in Mzansi. They took
our millions and left us with poor team.
7. Pitso Mosimane (South
Africa) -
He was seen as the African finest young coach with modern soccer knowledge
imparted by Perreira but Pitso egotistical and arrogant approach worked against
him. He only selected his boys not based on merits but favoritism. He cares
about improving Bafana rankings than winning important games to qualify for
AFCONs. He will known in the history of Bafana as the only coach who failed to
interpret CAF article 14 sub-article 14.1 of AFCON qualification regulations
but his team had best dancers. Remember Bokke dance led by choreographer
Itumeleng Khune at Mbombela Stadium.
8. Gordon Igesund (South
Africa)
- He is the people's choice but after 4 games I can proudly say he is a coward coach
without confidence. He rotated Bafana positions to few chosen and special
players. He is scared to test all of his selected boys. He must be a man enough
if want to succeed as bafana coach. I’m foreseeing a coach with defensive
approach. He is still using lone striker than playing a balance team. He is a
good coach but his tactics are not balance. He has the best keeper but defence
is leaking goals, midfield is always dismantled and out of shape and strike
force is one man. Not good enough coach. He must balance his team from defence
to striking force.
Verdict: The problem is not Bafana
coach. We can even hire Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid but we will still be
subjected to average performance. The problem is lack of proper development
structures to groom or breed quality players who can even made grade in Europe.
Now none of Bafana players can play in the highest league in Europe.
The Fact: Bafana doesn't have
depth of quality and dedicated players - too many average players in the team
without adding any value.
Conclusion: SAFA internal
politics of fighting for positions is killing our football. Our football
leaders are worried about their position than investing money in the grass
roots soccer development. They are busy plotting conspiracies to sabotaging
each other in the next election than developing our soccer.
By Owen Mundalamo
Founder: Football food for thought
