Benni earmarked as future Bafana coach?

While Bafana Bafana prepare themselves for a crunch game against Nigeria this weekend, it would appear that the South African Football Association is planning for the future of the South African national team.

Stuart Baxter’s side are currently unbeaten in their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and – having not yet conceded a goal – know that a victory over the Super Eagles will see them secure a spot at the showpiece in Cameroon next year.

The Siya crew has previously reported that Baxter’s situation with the national team was up in the air, and he spoke earlier in the year of ‘extremely difficult circumstances’.

On the topic of his future back in September, Baxter told the crew, “Look, I’m not going to discuss my future with Bafana Bafana, because I’m still the head coach and the job is difficult enough as it is without more smoke and mirrors involved. As things are now, I’m doing my best in extremely difficult circumstances to prepare the South African national team for every challenge that we have put in front of us.”

Though it would seem that Baxter has the full backing of SAFA at this point in time, it is thought that the association is looking further into the future, with Benni McCarthy’s name having been mentioned in the discussion of future Bafana coaches.

McCarthy won his first trophy as a head coach earlier this year in just his second season as a coach, and meets several of the criteria that SAFA want to see from candidates for the position.

For now though, it will be all eyes on Bafana in their AFCON qualifier this weekend as they look to keep up their impressive performance at the back and stop group leaders, Nigeria, from extending their lead at the top.