Photo: Sporting Life
Moroka Swallows head coach Gordon Igesund took the reigns as Bafana Bafana’s new head coach. A South African born, Igesund was appointed on Saturday afternoon after competing for the position with fellow South African Steve Komphela.
Kompela is currently the Free State Stars head coach and was Bafana Bafana caretaker coach. The duo were the only two candidates left in the race to succeed Pitso Mosimane who was sacked on June 5 after a string of poor results.
“It was not an easy decision as both coaches are well equipped to take Bafana Bafana forward,” said Safa president Kirsten Nematandani.
He added “At the end of the day, it was a unanimous decision (by the Safa national executive committee) and we think the final verdict was in the best interest of the nation.”
Safa said in a statement that Igesund had been offered a two-year contract with a mandate to reach at least the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will be hosted by South Africa. He is also expected to successfully guide the team through the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and earn a place in the tourne won the Premier Soccer League title with four different clubs.
He completed a remarkable turnaround with Moroka Swallows this year. After helping the Birds escape relegation in the 2010/11campaign, Igesund guided them to second place in the championship race this past season. Nematandani appealed to the public and the media to support Igesund in his new role and not judge him on upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Poland, both of which will be played away from home.
“The bigger picture is the 2013 Afcon tournament and qualifying us for the Brazil 2014 World Cup,” he said.
