The South African Football Association (SAFA) has parted way with Bafana Bafana Coach, Molefi Ntseki. This follows Bafana’s 2-0 loss over the weekend, which ensures the team’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations which is scheduled to take place in Cameroon early next year.
The announcement was made by SAFA CEO, Tebogo Motlanthe in a press briefing in which only he and SAFA Technical Committee Chairman, Jack Maluleke addressed the media.
Ntseki took over from Stuart Baxter in August 2019.
“As the association we have failed the nation. We own up,” says #SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/i6J0S5e33n
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) March 31, 2021
SAFA media briefing: Coach Molefi Ntseki fired
According to Motlanthe, the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Tuesday, where a decision to end the relationship with Ntseki was made.
No cogent explanation was given as to why the SAFA President, Danny Jordaan and other members of the NEC or Technical Committee were not present to answer some of the questions.
Maluleke has also admitted that a decision to terminate Ntseki’s contract was questionably taken without Ntseki having been allowed the chance to give his side of the story, saying they are still awaiting a report from the coach.
This comes after word got out that the decision to fire Ntseki followed a heated, confrontational meeting which took place on Tuesday.
Both Motlanthe and Maluleke denied knowledge of any such meeting.
“I cannot answer to things about a meeting I do not know of,” says Motlanthe.
Maluleke has also denied that they already have potential replacement coaches they are eyeing.
“We have no one,” says Maluleke.
It is understood that Portuguese-born former Bafana Bafana coach, Carlos Queiroz, AmaZulu Coach, Benni McCarthy, and Kaizer Chiefs Coach are some of the coaches the technical committee will be recommending to the NEC for consideration.
#SAFA Technical Committee Chairman, Jack Maluleke says the committee has no potential names to replace #MolefiNtseki. “We have no one.”#CarlosQueiroz, #BenniMcCarthy and #GavinHunt are some of the names said to be earmarked to take over. #SABCNews #AFCON2021 #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/53TRqOPKzr
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) March 31, 2021
Disappointment
Bafana Bafana lost 2-nil to Sudan in Khartoum, finishing third in their group. South Africa went into the match lying second in Group C. Ghana now topped Group C with 13 points, while Sudan finished as runners-up with 12 points and Bafana on 10 points.
Motlanthe has also denied that despite the constant firing of coaches by the association and the downward trend the national team has continued to experience, there were other problems affecting the progress of the national team.
“There is disappointment that we have not qualified but it does not necessarily mean there are problems,” says Motlanthe.
Numerous coaches have come and gone over the last two decades for an attempt to save Bafana Bafana including, Clive barker, Phillipe Troussier, Trott Moloto, Jomo Sono, Styles Phumo, Carlos Queiroz, Ted Dumitru, Pitso Mosimane, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Joel Santana and Gordon Igesund – with some having had more than one chance with the national team.
If appointed, Queiroz will have his second stint with the national team.
A Technical Committee to discuss Ntseki’s replacement is expected to take place next week.
SAFA fires Bafana Bafana Coach Molefi Ntseki: Sipho Kekana
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