Baxter hints on technical crew
STUART Baxter has hinted that his assistant coach may be a former Bafana Bafana player‚ and mentioned the names of Shaun Bartlett and Quinton Fortune as examples.
Baxter is likely to add a second assistant to his deputy, Thabo Senong, as he looks to bolster the technical staff he took to Nigeria for a 2-0 win in Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier‚ and Tuesday’s 2-1 friendly loss to Zambia in Moruleng.
The new Bafana coach had limited time to prepare for the big qualifier against Nigeria‚ travelling with a largely inherited technical team.
He dispensed with the previous assistant under predecessor Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, Owen da Gama‚ and goalkeeper-coach Lucky Shiburi.
Asked if he would have arrived at a permanent technical staff by the time Bafana competes in the Cosafa Cup early next month, Baxter replied: “I hope so
“The technical team we’ve had with us now [for Nigeria and Zambia] has been great. We just need to make sure it can be permanent and fits in with what we’re doing.
“I still think there’s room for an ex-player who’s embarked on his career as a coach – like a Shaun Bartlett‚ Benni McCarthy‚ Quinton Fortune‚ Aaron Mokoena.
“Get those people involved at some level within the technical team. They should be involved for the future of the game.”
Baxter said he believed Bafana’s 2-0 win against Nigeria was great experience for his side’s big World Cup matches against Cape Verde, in Praia on September 2 then at home on September 5.
Bafana’s first competitive victory against the Super Eagles not only boosted their confidence‚ Baxter said‚ but could be a springboard to two more crucial wins against Cape Verde on the path to World Cup Russia 2018.
Bafana are in second place in World Cup qualifying Group D to Burkina Faso on goal difference‚ with both sides on four points.
However, South Africa’s away draw against Burkina Faso and home win against Senegal have left them placed in perhaps their best position to reach a World Cup since their qualifications of 1998 and 2002.
If SA can beat Cape Verde away and at home‚ then beat Burkina Faso in South Africa in October, they will be strongly placed ahead of their November final match away against Senegal.