Radebe backs Baxter to stay on as Bafana coach

FORMER Bafana Bafana and Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe wants Stuart Baxter to be given an opportunity to continue as national coach.

Bafana failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year after losing to Senegal at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday.

Bafana lost 2-0, which handed Senegal the ticket to Russia with one game to spare.

Baxter signed a five-year contract in June.

“It was a combined decision. It is not one person who made the decision. There’s also Vision 2022 (the next World Cup) and the reason we chose Baxter. We have to back that vision. Yes it was a good decision. Give him a chance. He deserves an opportunity to do the job. He said ‘yes I will do it’ and we said ‘if he says yes I can do it’ let us give him a chance.

“We also wanted him to be involved in our youth structures. It is unfortunate that it is the results that decides the fate of the coach. But he needs support from the association and players. He need to be strong enough to take risks,” Radebe said.

“I know there’s a lot of expectation and demands on coaches, but if you have a vision and if you have a goal to achieve the results doesn’t matter than much. What matters is progress, sustainability and consistency,” said Radebe.

Quality

He doesn’t think the country is producing enough quality young players. “We have Percy Tau and I think it’s late for him. He should have been there three years ago. It is slow,” Radebe added.

It was third time in a row that Bafana had failed to book their place in the World Cup via the qualifiers. They failed to qualify in 2006 in Germany and 2014 in Brazil. They competed as hosts in 2010 in South Africa.

Radebe also questioned the passion of the current generation.

“Football is changing. The money is getting better and the players are getting comfortable instead of looking for possible opportunities to go overseas. There’s a huge different between the players who were playing in 1992 and the players who are also playing today.”