Da Gama stands behind next Bafana coach

Owen da Gama may well be living on borrowed time on the Bafana Bafana bench, but he certainly gave a good pitch this week to whoever is appointed as the new South African head coach.

Da Gama (right) will be caretaker coach for friendlies against Guinea-Bissau and Angola at the end of the month, and is then expected to step aside to allow Bafana’s new head honcho to move into position.

On announcing the squad this week, however, Da Gama indicat- ed he would be more than willing to assist the new man if required.

“I think this is the greatest job in the world,” said Da Gama.

“If I am afforded the opportunity I would be happy to do it. I have been with Bafana for over 50 matches and with the Under-23s and part of the Under-20s and Under-17s. I think I understand the culture clearly. I think I have watched in the last two years over 1 200 matches in South Africa. I have played locally and abroad so I have a good understanding. But I have not applied for the job. Please, if it happens, it happens.”

Da Gama has named an interesting squad, with a sprinkling of youth in players like Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi and with a couple of players who simply did not thrive under Shakes Mashaba.

Striker Kermit Erasmus is back in business, as is midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, though it remains unclear as to whether he is eligible to play for his country, having taken up Netherlands citizenship.

“I have not been in contact with him, but I believe we must do everything in our power to try and get these players playing for Bafana Bafana,” said Da Gama on the 25-year-old, who also retired from international football while Mashaba was in charge.

There is also plenty of continuity in the Bafana squad from the one that beat Senegal in a World Cup qualifier in November, including Belgium-based striker Lars Veldwijk, even though he made an unimpressive debut against Mozambique in a friendly just after the Senegal game.

“He did not have a good start, he set foot for the first time in South Africa, but you don’t just bring in a player and cast him aside if he doesn’t start well,” added Da Gama.