×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Igesund learns his fate

DEJECTED: Gordon Igesund. PHOTO: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
DEJECTED: Gordon Igesund. PHOTO: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images

BELEAGUERED Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is staring down the barrel of a loaded gun and will know today if Safa will show him the door or hand him a stay of execution.

Advocate Norman Arendse completed his investigation into the Bafana mentor and Safa president Danny Jordaan, chief executive Dennis Mumble and the national executive committee have had time to deliberate over the findings.

Former Bafana captain and Safa technical committee member Lucas Radebe said yesterday he understood those who were calling for changes in the coaching setup as the ailing national team was in dire need of remodelling.

"Change is good," Radebe said yesterday, without mincing his words.

"I think you always change for the better. But you cannot change without having looked at why you have to change. Even deeper than that, you look at yourself before you point your finger at somebody else."

Bafana dropped to 66th place in the Fifa rankings released last week, confirming the national team's seemingly relentless decline in 2014.

After the embarrassment of bombing out in the group stages of the African Nations Championship (Chan) in Cape Town in January, they plodded to a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Brazil last month.

Radebe conceded yesterday that Bafana have not exactly covered themselves in glory in recent times and perhaps fresh ideas were needed to resuscitate the ailing squad.

"At this point, yes, we have been failing on so many occasions and we have actually let the country down. This is why people want change."

Arendse was the head of a task team Safa set up to investigate allegations that Igesund influenced players to demand bonuses ahead of Chan.

Igesund has consistently maintained his innocence over the past few weeks, insisting that the investigation will clear him of wrongdoing.

But it remains to be seen if Safa will base their decision entirely on Arendse's findings because there are many at Nasrec who are determined to see the back of the Bafana coach, regardless of what the investigation uncovers.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.