Bafana’s new coach likely to be a local: Maluleke

The next Bafana Bafana head coach is most likely going to be a local coach judging by the resolutions of the of the SAFA Technical Committee meeting this past weekend.

Following the resignation of the former Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter, the committee led by SAFA Council member Jack Maluleke met at the local football mother body’s headquarters to review the reports of various national teams which campaigned in international tournaments in the past three months.

Topping the agenda was Bafana’s recent participation at the African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt and Baxter’s resignation.

Maluleke updated that they’ve appointed a four-member task team which will recommend the name of the new coach.

The Task Team is likely to be made up of Maluleke and other technical team members like Bafana Bafana legend David Nyathi, African football expert Sudesh Singh and South African Football Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) President Buddha Mathate.

Following the success of some locally born coaches at the recent AFCON, the SAFA Technical Committee, which is also made up of members of the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) and the South African Football Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA), is unapologetically going for a local coach.

Cape Town City head coach and Bafana legend Benni McCarthy is emerging as a favourite for this job, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane and Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt.

Maluleke has also confirmed that they have appointed assistant coach Molefi Ntseki as a caretaker coach of Bafana until a full-time coach has been found by mid next month at least.

It didn’t come as a surprise when Baxter tendered his resignation on Friday, saying he couldn’t take this Vision 2022 project forward after having finished in the quarterfinals at the AFCON, including that famous win against hosts Egypt.

Maluleke has more on the report of Baxter.

– Report by Velile Mnyandu