Johannesburg - Safa president Danny Jordaan on Monday refused to discuss whether he had spoken to Carlos Queiroz or Stephen Keshi about the Bafana Bafana job, after it was confirmed that Gordon Igesund’s contract would not be renewed.
Igesund was informed by the South African Football Association on Monday that his contract, which expires at the end of August, would not be renewed.
He made a final presentation at Safa House in defence of his 23-month reign at the helm of the national team, but it was not enough to persuade Safa that he should be retained.
It is understood that Jordaan has spoken to Queiroz who managed Bafana between 2000 and 2002, about the position.
Jordaan, however, would not name any candidates for the position.
“Now that the (Igesund) matter is settled, we can proceed to the second part of the process, and continue our discussion on the replacement coach for Bafana… we will inform you as soon as the process is complete.”
He added it was not important whether Safa appointed a local or foreign coach, but that Bafana Bafana become successful again.
“What we want is not a debate on where the coach comes from, but where the team is going to. We want this team to compete and be among the best in the world… (the new coach) must convince us they can take us where we want to go.”
On Igesund’s departure, Jordaan specifically referred to the mandates he was set - to qualify for and get past the group stages of the World Cup in Brazil, and to reach at least the semi-finals of last year’s African Nations Cup.
“If you are in university, and the requirement is that you pass and then you fail, is there more to it? I don’t know,” said Jordaan.
Igesund took over the Bafana job in July 2012 and failed to qualify the team for the World Cup, though in mitigation when he took over the side they had gained just two points from their opening two qualifiers.
At last year’s Nations Cup, which South Africa hosted, Bafana reached the quarterfinals, but were beaten by Mali on penalties.
Igesund argued before he took the team to friendlies against Australia and New Zealand that he had only lost one competitive match (discounting this year’s African Nations Championships), to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, if you take into account that defeat on penalties is regarded by Fifa as a draw.
He could not be reached for comment on Monday.
If Safa do turn to Queiroz, it would be something of an acknowledgement that they made a mistake in 2002 when he was sacked despite qualifying the team for the 2002 World Cup.
Keshi has impressed in his stint as coach of Nigeria, taking the team to glory in last year’s Nations Cup.
Both men will only be available after the World Cup, and Jordaan has said he expects to appoint a new coach by the middle of July.
Bafana coaches since 1992:
1992 – Jeff Butler (appointed first coach, but fired before even playing one game for allegedly falsifying playing record)
1992 – Stanley Tshabalala
1992 – Ephraim Mashaba
1992-1994 – Augusto Palacios
1994-1997 – Clive Barker
1998 – Jomo Sono
1998 – Philippe Troussier
1998-2000 – Trott Moloto
2000-2002 – Carlos Queiroz
2002 – Jomo Sono
2002-2003 – Ephraim Mashaba
2004 – April Phumo
2004-2005 – Stuart Baxter
2005-2006 – Ted Dumitru
2006 – Pitso Mosimane
2007-2008 – Carlos Alberto Parreira
2008-2009 – Joel Santana
2009-2010 – Carlos Alberto Parreira
2010-2012 – Pitso Mosimane
2012-2014 – Gordon Igesund
The Star