Coach less Bafana in safe hands

By Herrold Lamola

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has kept us all guessing. Who will replace Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba?

Members of the media were speculating about the best possible candidates. I can't use my precious time and add to the speculations. Although we don't know yet who is coming in to replace Bra Shakes, believe me when I say Bafana Bafana is in good hands. The interim coach (Owen Da Gama) will be in charge for the upcoming international friendlies against Angola and Guinea-Bissau.

Owen Da Gama named a well expected 25-Man squad last- the media and the public are both signing his praises. At the very media conference where he was announcing his squad, Da Gama pleaded with the media to rally behind the boys and boost their confidence. Unlike Mashaba, who had a habit of picking fights with members of the Fourth Estate, Owen chose to work with journalists.

I can't really say Owen has read that SAFA 'Love letter' about the requirements for a new coach then he intends to capitalize- NO. While reading that employment criteria I have come to realize that SAFA has emphasized that the new boss won't repeat what Shakes Mashaba did. Every requirement on paper is anti-Shakes behaviour. Personally I applaud Owen for building a healthy working relationship with the press.

Announcing a national team squad has to be one of the most difficult tasks coaches have to encounter. We all know every player wants to play for the national team but only 25 can make the final cut. Da Gama took the bull by its horns. He named his 25-Man squad and has recalled some of the prodigal sons. A handful of players didn't see eye to eye with the former coach - the likes of Kermit Erasmus and Kamohelo Mokotjo made it clear that they won't avail themselves for national team duty as long as Mashaba is in charge.

The former took to social media to express his excitement about being back in the national team set-up. Kamohelo Mokotjo has renounced his South African citizenship to acquire that of Dutch. To my surprise Owen Da Gama didn't know about Mokotjo's dual citizenship. There is a lot of money in Nasrec that is put in place for travelling the world to watch South African players' progress abroad. If the technical team was travelling they would know about the complications they have just been made aware of. Mokotjo will have to come around and revisit his decision. My free advice to Kamo - never take a permanent decision in a temporary situation.

Only three defenders in entire Eredivisie have made more passes than Mokotjo (1648). Thankfully Home Affairs have granted the 26-year old star a South African citizenship. Mokotjo when came to camp and during his stay in the country lately was not a South African citizen. He is now eligible to play for Bafana Bafana.

Da Gama ensured journalists that he will get to the bottom of this matter. That's how a national team coach conducts himself. The caretaker coach says he wants to make players feel wanted. Da Gama said players themselves have to want to play for the national team. This is something Bra Shakes was lacking.

There are new kids on the block. Amajita sensations Luther Signh and Phakamani Mahlambi were also included in the Bafana squad. Now we can talk about the famous 'Vision 2022'. Football development has to take a priority if we are to reap the fruits of the well documented vision 2022 plan. These special talents need to be nurtured.

Owen has been in charge of junior level football for quite some time and surely will handle these boys with care.

What will happen if Bafana do well under the supervision of the interim coach? Is SAFA testing the waters with Owen Da Gama in charge for the next two friendlies? He meets all the requirements put on the criteria. That's my suspicion not speculation.

MY INK IS SHAKING #ShakingInk

@Lamola_eitcHDee

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