AXING Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter right now could prove a costly mistake for the SA Football Association (Safa).
That is the view of former Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund following the failure of Mzansi’s national team to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup.
This is the second time the Scot was unable to lead Bafana to the global competition. Bafana also failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany under his tutelage – and for that the 64-year-old was fired.
Although the outcome was the same this time, qualifying for the 2018 World Cup was not part of his mandate this year, he has claimed.
But Baxter has made things easy for Safa, promising to resign should Bafana fail to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
This vow came last Friday when South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the upcoming World Cup in Russia were dashed once and for all after Bafana lost 2-0 to Senegal in Limpopo.
Gatvol football fans are calling for Baxter to be sacked and Safa has indicated a willingness to heed these calls.
Baxter is expected to submit a report on the two qualifiers against Senegal analysing what went wrong for SA to miss the boat to Russia.
Igesund, who was fired by Safa in compromising fashion in New Zealand in 2014, has an impressive track record in the PSL, having won the league title with Manning Rangers (1996-97), Santos (2000-01), Orlando Pirates (2001-02) and Mamelodi Sundowns (2006-07).
“We need to support our coach,” said Igesund, who is an analyst on TV these days.
“I know everyone is disappointed to see the country fail in its attempt to qualify for the
World Cup next year. I too would have loved to see my country compete at the World Cup. But I do not think we should fire Baxter.
“Let him finish his plans for the national team. Let us start planning for 2022 now and see what happens. This thing of hiring and firing coaches is killing our football. We need to practise consistency.
“Look, Shakes Mashaba was doing well but he got fired. I think I was doing well too and I got fired.
“So now Baxter has failed to qualify for the Russia World Cup and should be fired? No, let’s not do that. Baxter is a good coach and a good coach cannot become bad in a day.”
Igesund believes if Bafana had beaten Cape Verde and the Senegal match was not replayed, Baxter and his charges could very well have won Group D and be preparing for Russia right now.
The 61-year-old Igesund was in charge of Bafana from 2012 to 2014. He was succeeded by Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, who was also at the helm for two years.
Mashaba’s contract was terminated for disciplinary reasons after the 67-year-old fell out with Safa president Danny Jordaan.
Mashaba was replaced by Baxter six months ago.
