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UNFETTERED: Bafana coach Gordon Igesund

BALANCING ACT: Safa president Kirsten Nematandani

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THE cash-strapped South African Football Association insists it will not skimp on Bafana Bafana preparations ahead of the hosting of next year's Africa Cup of Nations, even if costs are cut everywhere else.

Safa president Kirsten Nematandani says all required resources will be made available to new coach Gordon Igesund to ensure his squad is properly prepared for next January's tournament.

"We will not compromise on the national team," said Nematandani as more details emerged in recent days of continuing cuts at the top-heavy organisation.

Safa is slashing staff, has cut its committees and has told creditors to wait for their money as they seek to balance their books. They have employed outside auditors to take control of their finances.

But Nematandani says Igesund will have whatever he needs to ensure the country makes a strong challenge for Afcon honours.

"The national team is our main source of revenue and we have sponsors who have invested in them. The preparations will go on as planned. The challenges are not money but time, because there is the clash with the clubs over the availability of the players. In terms of the finances of the national team all the programmes will run according to plan," he said.

" It is out of the national team that the (Safa) brand is built and positive images are built. That is where the corporate world makes a decision on whether to sponsor your activities. Even the country's mood depends on how the national team is doing."

Nematandani admitted Safa had overspent in the wake of the World Cup without heeding the fact that income had been drastically reduced after the 2010 fiesta.

"We did not adjust our own spending accordingly. We are very confident we'll turn the corner," he said.

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Sat May 25 11:14:45 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 28, 2012

Lehido

boooooo-hoooooooooo Nematendani
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Aug 28, 2012

Bahaeso

Nematandani , what has happened to the World Cup money which was given to SAFA. You better tell us or step down. It is clear that SAFA is in wrong hands. Something has to be done because you could see that , for an organisation to pay a sangoma with the hope of winning, you end up with no money. Now the want sell the busses thinking that they will help them to recover some of the losses. It wont happen. Just step down.
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Aug 28, 2012

Papage

huge salaries paid, remember Pereira, Pitso, Leal and who else? some people got golden hand shake for doing nothing, 2010 world cup buses are parked at SAFA house losing value, by next year June, they will be valueless.
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Aug 28, 2012

cyxx

Money doesn't always translate into success. Zambia is a good example of determination, hard work and obviously talent can take you far.

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Aug 28, 2012

VENDALIOUS

Hands-off Kirsten Nematandani!.....his doing a great job at SAFA

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Aug 28, 2012

Nyongoyamavenda

VENDALIOUS
cos he is from your tribe
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Aug 28, 2012

VENDALIOUS

Hai not bcos of that, his just doing a great job that all!

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Aug 28, 2012

Papage

VENDALIOUS
Hands-off Kirsten Nematandani!.....his doing a great job at SAFA

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Nyongoyamavenda
VENDALIOUS
cos he is from your tribe
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Tribalism is the sickness that is sreading like leper in South Africa, people always fight for their own, Look what is happening in the ANC, we are so divided and we will never work together as one, there is a group of Xhosas, Zulus, Batswana, Bapedi and others, all in the same bus, but going different directions, right now Umthatha says no other term for Zuma and KZN says, second term for Zuma and others says, Motlhanthe must be the President of the ANC, so tribalism is killing us all and our Country's economy is affected.
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Aug 28, 2012

NICEBOOBS

Nema what what is to blame
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Aug 28, 2012

sdakwa

I'm not expecting anything good from Nematendani, his looks tell it all. By the way, what happened to his friend, Mwelo"Mr Lips"Nonkonyane? They thought SAFA was only about the world cup, and the worse part is that they had no positive contribution in organizing the event.

I personally would like to appeal to all soccer loving South Africans to pull their weight behing Bafana otherwise the current leadership won't get us anywhere.


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