Menzi Magubane
The speculation, the guesswork and all the “what-about so-and-so” is over.
Belgian Hugo Broos was confirmed by the South African Football Association (SAFA) as the new Bafana Bafana coach on Wednesday.
And the major task on Broos’ to-do list, is to lead the team to qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Broos takes over from Molefi Ntseki who was sacked after Bafana failed to qualify for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.
Rumours abound that Ntseki may end up being Broos’ assistant.
Before Broos’ appointment, Carlos Queiroz’s name was mentioned but he snubbed SAFA.
After that it was reported that they were in talks with Pitso Mosimane but he made it clear that he was not interested in coming back.
Recently AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy led the race to become the new Bafana coach but according to TimesLive, he was dumped because of what was termed his ridiculous requirements.
It is understood that McCarthy wanted SAFA to appoint his AmaZulu colleagues Siyabonga Nomvethe and Moeneeb Josephs as his assistant coaches on a full-time basis.
“Benni’s requirements to have a full-time technical team were just ridiculous and the association couldn’t afford it,” said a TimesLive source.
Broos previously led Cameroon to the 2017 Afcon title. In the World Cup qualifiers Bafana are in Group G with Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Ghana.
The game against Zimbabwe is scheduled for 5 June before the Black Stars come to play Bafana at home.
Bafana last played in the global showpiece in 2010 when their qualification was automatic as South Africa hosted the tournament. They last qualified in 2002.
Picture source:@robertmarawa
