By Obakeng Maje
Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund said if all South Africans rally behind the National Team, he is confident the team can win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for next January here in South Africa.
“I think at the moment, there is a great vibe in the country regarding our national team and I know when this national team goes into the field and there are 60 000 people blowing their vuvuzelas and truly supporting the players and getting behind the team, we will be very difficult to beat,” said Igesund in an interview posted on
“If the boys continue with the positive attitude, we really can go places including conquering Africa of course,” he added.
The national coach said he was encouraged by the cooperation given to him by the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) who were working together to make sure ‘we have a successful Bafana’ side.
Igesund said the two friendly matches against Brazil and Mozambique had given him an ideal foundation on which to build a successful national team.
He said he would continue to monitor all eligible Bafana players plying their trade overseas; though he insisted the bulk of the national team players should be drawn from the domestic leagues.
“There are plenty of players across the World who qualifies to play for South Africa. I still believe though that a good chunk of players in the national team should come from South Africa. It is important to understand that not all players that play overseas qualify (material wise) to play for Bafana. We have our own top players plying their trade locally. Only if the overseas player is better than we have at home, will he be called up,” he said.
On whether he would continue to rotate his goalkeepers, Igesund said much as he was spoilt for choice, he is not one person who believes in the rotation system.
He also sang the praises of his two assistants Thomas Madigage and Serame Letsoaka as outstanding individuals.
“I think Tommy (Thomas Madigage) and Serame (Letsoaka) are both excellent individuals and I think our working relationship and understanding could not be better. There is no doubt in my mind that together we can make Bafana a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
The Guardian 