Igesund’s job safe for now

Safa president Kirsten Nematandani has dismissed the possibility that Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund will be sacked.

Addressing the media at the team’s welcoming ceremony in Durban today, Nematandani said he wanted to remind people that Igesund had been set two targets and “those will have to come into being before any other decision is taken”.

Igesund’s first target is reaching the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The second is to qualify for the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

“I am always being asked the question that is it realistic that the coach has got a target of reaching the semifinals and whether is he staying after the end of the Africa Cup of Nations or not. I want to make it clear to the public that the targets are two and both will have to come into being before any other decision is taken. Me and the coach have agreed on a better, greater and exciting target. This is our coach and the best in the country,” said Nematandani.

This means even if Igesund does not meet his first target of reaching the semifinals of the Afcon, he will not get the chop.

After playing to a goalless draw in their opening game against Cape Verde on Saturday there are doubts if Bafana will make it to the knockout stages of the tournament. They will now have to beat Angola and Morocco in their next two games on Wednesday and Sunday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

But Nematandani said he did not doubt they would make the country proud as they would be playing on their happy hunting ground.

At the same conference Bafana players were honoured with framed replica jerseys after passing the 50 caps mark. Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, defender Siboniso Gaxa, midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi and strikers Bernard Parker and Katlego Mphela have joined a growing list of players who have passed 50 caps.