Mosimane is the new Bafana coach

Added: Thursday, July 15, 2010 (19:42)

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has named Pitso Mosimane as the new coach of the Senior Men’s National Team (Bafana Bafana).

The appointment of coach Mosimane came after all the Association’s internal processes were completed, including his comprehensive presentation of his four year plan to SAFA’s Technical Committee.

Mosimane has recommended the retention of current Bafana Bafana assistant coach Jairo Leal and physical trainer Francisco Gonzalez in the technical team.

SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani has acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead for the Association and the new coach. Nematandani outlined the significance of qualifying for the upcoming international tournaments, namely the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2012 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

“Our quest to become number one in the continent has started and the process is irreversible. Our latest improvement on the FIFA world rankings is an indication of the progress made, hence our decision to continue with the technical team that understand the significance of completing the long journey that we have started. We have pledged to rally behind all our national teams without failure, and the results are there to be seen, in particular reference to our under 17 girls who have qualified for the FIFA under 17 Women World Cup and our Development team that has qualified for the African Nations Championships. We will do the same with Bafana and we expect to qualify and do well in the upcoming AFCON and World Cup respectively;” said Nematandani.

Coach Mosimane told a media briefing in Johannesburg that he is aware of the daunting task ahead; and he expressed his appreciation to SAFA for showing confidence in his abilities. Coach Mosimane’s media statement can be viewed on www.safa.net.

SAFA CEO Leslie Sedibe has announced Bafana Bafana‘s short term program comprising of two international friendly matches and a fixture for the AFCON qualifiers.

“We have worked tirelessly to secure quality opponents for our senior team in preparing for the tough assignment of qualifying for the AFCON finals. Bafana will play the first international friendly match after the World Cup against Ghana, the match is scheduled for Soccer City in Johannesburg on the 11th of August and the 17th November match will be announced once the contract is signed. Our choice of opponents is an indication that we mean business, and we need to take on the best if we are to be the greatest on the African Continent;” explained Sedibe.

Bafana Bafana’s group for AFCON qualifiers includes current African champions Egypt, Niger and Sierra Leone. Bafana will kick off the campaign at home against Niger on the weekend of 03-05 in September.

Source: www.safa.net