Safa identify 5 coaching candidates

The SA Football Association’s (Safa) technical committee has fast-tracked the process to sign a new Bafana Bafana coach by identifying five candidates for the vacant post.

Steve Komphela, Gordon Igesund, Gavin Hunt, Shakes Mashaba and Neil Tovey, were asked on Thursday to make a presentation on their strategies and vision after the technical committee, headed by Fanyana Sibanyoni, had held an urgent meeting.

This meant the post would not be advertised, as Safa vice-president Mwelo Nonkonyana had initially indicated on Wednesday.

“The committee developed a set of criterion for the appointment of the coach, key of which was that Safa would only consider a local coach for the position,” Safa said in a statement on Friday.

“This eliminated a large number of the potential applicants.

“The committee developed 12 criteria that they believe are critical for the coach, and then identified five coaches that they decided were best suited to those criteria, based on their knowledge of local coaches.

“The five coaches were contacted on Thursday, 7 June, as well as their clubs, to request if they were prepared to come and do a presentation to the selection panel that will interview them.”  The interview and presentation process would start next week with the final recommendation to the association’s national executive committee (NEC) expected before June 30.

“All of the coaches have agreed to be interviewed, and will be provided with the agreed set of criteria and given a maximum of two hours for presentation and the interview,” the statement read.

“This process will start next week Wednesday, 13 June, and conclude the following Monday, 18 June.

“The final recommended candidate will be presented to the NEC on 30 June or earlier.”  Safa chief executive Robin Petersen said they wanted former Bafana coach and Jomo Cosmos chairman, Jomo Sono, as well as Kaizer Chiefs executive chairman, Kaizer Motaung, to serve in the selection panel.

“The selection panel will consist, as a core, of members of the technical committee together with the Safa technical director and CEO, and the chairperson of the international board/commercial committee,” Petersen said.

“We are also going to approach Jomo Sono and Kaizer Motaung to serve on the panel.

“Additional members might also be appointed in broader consultation.”  Pitso Mosimane was sacked earlier this week, with Komphela taking over on an interim base ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Botswana in Gaborone on Saturday.