SO, IS it a foregone conclusion that Pitso "Jingles" Mosimane will replace Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach?

SO, IS it a foregone conclusion that Pitso "Jingles" Mosimane will replace Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach?

If reports are anything to go by Mosimane will be the new man in charge to take us to the Afcon in 2012 and World Cup in 2014.

But is he the best man for the job, based on qualifications and experience, not on where he was before and his nationality?

The criterion should be: is he fit for the purpose?

The Bafana job needs a strong personality, who commands players' respect. Not that he does not posses such qualities, but to back Mosimane on the basis of continuity of Parreira's work and because he was an assistant for the last four years, could be the wrong reasons to look for.

He of all people knows that coaching Bafana is not for the fainthearted. The nation's expectations from the squad are huge.

Mosimane worked with Ted Dumitru during the ill-fated 2006 Afcon in Egypt, where we failed to get a point or even score a goal.

He has paid his dues on the Bafana Bafana back bench, but I doubt if he is ready for the big job.

I know it would be a bitter pill to swallow to be relegated assistant coach, but I am not convinced that he has grasped the mental and tactical aspect of coaching at the highest level.

Parreira might have laid a good foundation for Bafana, but whoever is appointed should be chosen on the basis of ability and expertise, not on continuity by someone who will be enjoying retirement in Rio de Janeiro.

It would be a token appointment if Mosimane or whoever were to be appointed because the main objective is to ensure Parreira's work is not tampered with.

I hope whoever gets the job understands the huge responsibility that comes with coaching this team. Safa must apply their minds and do what is best for football in our country.

May they get the best person for the job.

Kiekie Mboweni, Nkowankowa