STEVE Komphela has given Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund his full backing and emphasised that he did not turn down the South African Football Association "in a sulk" because he did not get the national coaching job.
Komphela said it was simply that his club, Free State Stars, needed a commitment.
That was Komphela's explanation yesterday following his rejection of the technical director's position with Safa.
Komphela, who was brought in last season to assist Pitso Mosimane when he was still Bafana coach, took over the team for two matches following Mosimane's sacking after the draw with Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.
But Komphela lost the race to become permanent Bafana coach to Igesund last week.
Komphela said the urgency to begin pre-season training with Stars was among the factors that contributed to his decision not to take up the role of technical director at Safa. He said in a radio interview that he was "not sulking because I did not get the Bafana coaching job", but rather that Stars were already behind with their preparations for the 2012-13 Premier Soccer League season, which kicks off next month.
"The reasons were simple. It (technical director role) wasn't quite a cut-and-dried issue. It had a lot of permutations and I did not have the time to wait as Free State Stars needed (my) attention," said Komphela on BallzRadio.
He felt that he had been so caught up with Bafana after Mosimane's sacking that he had had little time with his club.
"Unfortunately things changed quickly and I had to take the team (Bafana) to Botswana (for a World Cup qualifier) and to Mbombela (for a friendly international with Gabon). I also had to make a presentation to the technical committee," Komphela said.
"We have sold a number of players and if I had waited for Safa to iron out some of the issues, it would have meant that I go back to Stars without having made any aggressive preparations for the new season."
Komphela congratulated Igesund on his new quest and availed himself for national duty "if and when I am needed because I always want to serve my country".
Komphela backs Gordon
STEVE Komphela has given Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund his full backing and emphasised that he did not turn down the South African Football Association "in a sulk" because he did not get the national coaching job.
Komphela said it was simply that his club, Free State Stars, needed a commitment.
That was Komphela's explanation yesterday following his rejection of the technical director's position with Safa.
Komphela, who was brought in last season to assist Pitso Mosimane when he was still Bafana coach, took over the team for two matches following Mosimane's sacking after the draw with Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.
But Komphela lost the race to become permanent Bafana coach to Igesund last week.
Komphela said the urgency to begin pre-season training with Stars was among the factors that contributed to his decision not to take up the role of technical director at Safa. He said in a radio interview that he was "not sulking because I did not get the Bafana coaching job", but rather that Stars were already behind with their preparations for the 2012-13 Premier Soccer League season, which kicks off next month.
"The reasons were simple. It (technical director role) wasn't quite a cut-and-dried issue. It had a lot of permutations and I did not have the time to wait as Free State Stars needed (my) attention," said Komphela on BallzRadio.
He felt that he had been so caught up with Bafana after Mosimane's sacking that he had had little time with his club.
"Unfortunately things changed quickly and I had to take the team (Bafana) to Botswana (for a World Cup qualifier) and to Mbombela (for a friendly international with Gabon). I also had to make a presentation to the technical committee," Komphela said.
"We have sold a number of players and if I had waited for Safa to iron out some of the issues, it would have meant that I go back to Stars without having made any aggressive preparations for the new season."
Komphela congratulated Igesund on his new quest and availed himself for national duty "if and when I am needed because I always want to serve my country".
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