Bafana captain backs Parreira's recommendation

Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena

Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has supported the idea of allowing Carlos Alberto Parreira to recommend a coach to take over from him.

Mokoena says this will go a long way in helping players to adapt easily because it will be someone who shares Parreira's vision. However, Mokoena admits that the resignation of Parreira is a big set back, because the coach and the players were just starting to understand each other.

It is almost a forgone conclusion that Parreira will be replaced by another Brazilian. There have been reports that Flamengo coach Joel Santana is on his way to South Africa. Santana is the front runner to take over as Bafana Bafana coach.

Santana is expected to be on the bench when South Africa takes on Nigeria in a 2010 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on May 31. Santana is reportedly the coach that Parreira has recommended to take over from him for the sake of continuity. However, Safa CEO Raymond Hack says they will need time before making an announcement.

Assistants’ backing
Flamengo's vice-president Kleber Leite has been quoted as saying Santana will leave the club next month.

Santana is a journeyman coach with no international experience. The 59-year-old has coached clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Japan. He has won the Rio State Championship with four different clubs and has one Brazilian league title to his name.

If appointed, he will have the backing of Parreira's assistants who will help him in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Best man for the job
Meanwhile, Michael Murphy, an attorney specialising in sport, says it will be interesting to see how the newly amended National Sports Act will affect the appointment of a foreign coach.

According to the new act Safa will be required to prove to the Sports Minister that there is not a South African better suited for the job. Hack says they will have to abide by the new law if they employ a foreign coach. He says they will go for an exceptional coach who will take the country forward.