Sport

Mosimane takes over

July 15, 2010 Edition 1

Soccer

Pitso Mosimane will become the new Bafana Bafana head coach, says Safa president Kirsten Nematandani.

It was public knowledge that the perennial number two was set to take the hot seat after the departure of Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The national body confirmed as much at a press conference during the World Cup, in which they revealed that Mosimane was their only candidate.

Nematandani has now confirmed that the former SuperSport United coach will fill the void, but there are a few stumbling blocks which need to be overcome before it can be officially announced.

"The search is over and the only outstanding issue is around his contract," Nematandani said.

"I wish we could make the announcement today (Wednesday) but we still have to first hear from the CEO (Leslie Sedibe) if there is agreement around negotiations.

"The announcement could be any day now, but I do not want to put them under pressure by revealing the day we have reserved for the media briefing."

There were initial fears that 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 that Safa will be there to help out if needed - not in an interfering manner.

He added: "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."

Meanwhile, despite becoming the first host nation in history to fail to reach the second round of the World Cup finals, we were one of the biggest climbers on the Fifa World Rankings, jumping 17 places to 66th after the completion of the global showpiece on Sunday.

Bafana, thanks to their incredible 2-1 win over then ninth placed France in their final group match played in Bloemfontein on June 22, were only overshadowed by New Zealand who moved up 24 places in the rankings from 78th to 54th of the teams who participated in the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

It was victory in defeat for Bafana who needed to beat Les Blues by 4-0 to secure a place in the second round, but the improved Bafana had the consolation of beating France, a side in the top 10 for the first time in their 18 year history, and gain much needed confidence before a tough 2010 African Nations Cup qualifying campaign that involves African champions and world ninth ranked Egypt, plus trips to Niger and Equatorial Guinea.

France dropped out of the top 20 to 21st position after a disastrous campaign. The 1998 world champions and 2006 runners-up were eliminated in the first round.

Spain, who defeated the Netherlands in a bruising final played in front of 85 000 fans at Soccer City on Sunday night return as the world's No 1 side. Spain are also the reigning European champions.

The Netherlands are second, Brazil - who fell at the quarterfinal stage - are third and Germany who were one of the big surprise sides with a youthful team, are now rated the fourth best side in the world.

The other success story of the World Cup is Uruguay who jumped 10 places to sixth place. - Sapa