The next man in line to lead and take Bafana Bafana to the next level should be South African-born, says former South African Football Association (Safa) vice-president Ria Ledwaba, despite coach Hugo Broos’s future being unclear.
Fans have recommended several names to the association, with the two most notable ones being those of renowned coach Pitso Mosimane and Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy.
Ledwaba, who was speaking to Sunday World on the sidelines after launching her Sports Scholarship Programme through her Ria Ledwaba Foundation, also mentioned Mosimane and McCarthy as two of the coaches she would like to see coaching Bafana next.
“For me, I think it critical for Bafana Bafana to have a South African coach. If you look at Senegal, Ivory Coast and Morocco, the teams that have been doing well at the Afcon in recent years were coached by local coaches,” Ledwaba said.
“No international coaches. So, I’m saying we have Pitso, for example, and McCarthy, for example. For me, those are the type of coaches that must be headhunted and brought in because, one, they’ve got interest in their country. They stay here.
“There are coaches in South Africa who I think can take over from Hugo Boss and be able to take Bafana Bafana to the next level. Maybe top 16 in the World rankings. There must be a point where we’re within the top 30 countries and I think South Africa has got the capacity to do so.”
Bafana moved six spots up and are ranked number 54 on the Fifa world rankings, after their successful run at the ongoing World Cup.
Broos and his men defied the odds and went past the group stages for the first time in the history of South African football when they beat South Korea 1-0.
Last week, this publication confirmed through Safa’s head of technical, Jack Maluleke, that Mosimane is one of the top coaches who has shown interest in the job and has submitted his CV.
“I can confirm that amongst the many top names of coaches who have applied for the Bafana Bafana job is indeed Pitso Mosimane. I have over 80 applications with me,” Maluleke said in Monterrey, Mexico.
Safa president Danny Jordaan also confirmed that the leadership would engage in talks with Broos, as the Belgian is uncertain about his future with Bafana, despite announcing that he would retire from coaching after the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Bafana’s head of tactical analysis, Sinesipho Mali, has resigned and major changes in the technical team are expected in the coming days.
- Former Safa vice-president Ria Ledwaba believes the next Bafana Bafana coach should be South African-born.
- This recommendation comes amid uncertainty over the future of current coach Hugo Broos.
- Ledwaba emphasizes the importance of local leadership to elevate the national team.
- No official decision on Broos's position has been announced yet.
- The full article is available in the Sunday World e-edition.
Fans have recommended several names to the association, with the two most notable ones being those of renowned coach Pitso Mosimane and
Ledwaba, who was speaking to
“For me, I think it critical for Bafana Bafana to have a
“No international coaches. So, I’m saying we have Pitso, for example, and McCarthy, for example. For me, those are the type of coaches that must be headhunted and brought in because, one, they’ve got interest in their country.
“
Bafana moved six spots up and are ranked number 54 on the Fifa world rankings, after their successful run at the ongoing World Cup.
Broos and his men defied the odds and went past the group stages for the first time in the history of
Last week, this publication confirmed through Safa’s head of technical, Jack Maluleke, that Mosimane is one of the top coaches who has shown interest in the job and has submitted his CV.
“I can confirm that amongst the many top names of coaches who have applied for the Bafana Bafana job is indeed Pitso Mosimane. I have over 80 applications with me,” Maluleke said in Monterrey, Mexico.
Safa president
Meanwhile, Bafana’s head of tactical analysis, Sinesipho Mali, has resigned and major changes in the technical team are expected in the coming days.
