Safa and ex-Bafana Bafana coach Molelfi Ntseki finally go their separate ways

06 May 2021 - 11:19
By Mahlatse Mphahlele, mahlatse mphahlele AND Mahlatse Mphahlele
Molefi Ntseki leaves the association after overseeing nine international matches where they won four‚ drew two and lost three.
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Molefi Ntseki leaves the association after overseeing nine international matches where they won four‚ drew two and lost three.

The South African Football Association (Safa) have finally parted ways ‘amicably’ with former Bafabna Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki.

Ntseki was shown the door by Safa more than a month ago after Bafana failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon next year and has since been replaced by Belgian Hugo Broos.

But there was talk that he could be retained in some capacity after Safa began the serch for his replacement.

Ntseki was appointed as Bafana head coach in August 2019 after serving as assistant to Stuart Baxter for two years‚ where they reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 Afcon in Egypt.

He leaves the association after overseeing nine international matches where they won four‚ drew two and lost three.

But his failure to qualify the national team for next year's Afcon in Cameroon proved to be his downfall.

Prior to being the senior national team coach‚ Ntseki enjoyed a good stint with South African junior national teams.

He famously guided the SA U17 team (Amajimbos) to the 2015 Fifa World Cup in Chile.

He also helped Amajimbos qualify for the 2015 U17 Afcon tournament where he finished as runners-up to Mali to earn the ticket to the World Cup in Chile.

He was also the U23 assistant coach.

“Safa would like thank Ntseki for his contribution to the association over the years‚” read a statement from Safa on Thursday morning.

Ntseki’s manager Thato Matuka confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Safa.

“Yes it is true we have reached an agreement with Safa and this matter is closed‚” said Matuka.