Mokoena Backs Pitso For Bafana Bafana Job

Although an official announcement has yet to be made, Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has endorsed Pitso Mosimane’s appointment as national team coach.

South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has quardedly announced last night that they had ‘reached an agreement’ with Mosimane to take over the national team following the departure of Carlos Alberto Parreira, but added that some matters needed to be cleared before it became final.

‘Mbazo’ has not waited for confirmation and tells Tidesports source that, “Pitso has been in the foundation of Bafana Bafana and he knows the ins and outs of the team.

“Yes, there are lots of good coaches out there that can take the post, but the fact that we have the foundation, we need someone from within the structure to build on this foundation,” Mokoena said.

The Portsmouth skipper has revealed that Mosimane has already shared his vision with the players.

“Firstly, it’s all about development, we had a chat with Pitso and we said that development can be much better in football in South Africa, I’m sure his appointment can make a difference to South African football.

“I’ve been working with him for years and I know what kind of manager he is. I look forward to working with him if he gets the job,” Mokoena added.

According to the Daily Dispatch report, despite SAFA sitting the whole day before agreeing Mosimane is their man, they were, however, concerned about his salary package.

“We are thinking of making an announcement today, but there are still a number of things that we have to sort out,” Fanyana Sibanyoni the chairman of the SAFA technical committee said yesterday.

Sibanyoni’s assertion follows after SAFA president, Kirsten Nematandani, confirmed that Mosimane will indeed coach.

There were initial fears the appointment of Mosimane would give rise to massive restrictions, with the team controlled more from the boardroom than on the pitch itself.

However, Nematandani has quashed those fears, saying SAFA will be there to help out if needed not in an interfering manner.

“He is the one who will work with the national team and it is absolutely up to him to decide whom he will have next to him. It is his call. We want to make sure that he gets everything that he wants so that he does not have to stress about minor off-the-field stuff,” Nematandani said.

SAFA has been dilly-dallying in confirming Mosimane as national team boss since Bafana bombed out in the first round of the World Cup tournament.

This will put pressure on Mosimane as he will have his work cut out with the qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations starting in September where Bafana are in a difficult group with Niger, Sierra Leone and defending champion Egypt.