Jabu believes new Bafana coach understands local players’ DNA

Jabu Mahlangu believes Molefi Ntseki is a good appointment as Bafana Bafana coach‚ the former Kaizer Chiefs star has said.

Mahlangu‚ the 2000s Amakhosi star whose storied career also took him to Austria and Sweden‚ said he believes Ntseki‚ as a South African‚ can understand the psychology of the country’s players.

Mahlangu acknowledged Ntseki, despite having served as Baxter’s assistant, has a lowprofile‚ and not as much topflight head coaching experience as one might expect from a Bafana head coach.

“You can only know him by giving him a chance‚” said Mahlangu.

The ex-Chiefs star questioned why the SA Football Association (Safa) gave the job to Baxter‚ who he suggested struggled to form a bond with South African players.

“My view is that it goes to the [Safa] management‚” he said.

“If you do an interview with different coaches‚ you know our culture‚ you know our DNA. So why do you hire a coach who’s philosophy will clash with what we have?

“Overseas coaches‚ when they come here‚ they have got their philosophies. They [Safa] will tell them this is South Africa – this is how we play.

“And then that coach will bring their experience also. We need it. We can’t compete at that level without that European flavour or experience.”

Ntseki’s first match‚ the friendly against Zambia in Lusaka this past Saturday was called off‚ and Madagascar then stepped in but also withdrew‚ in response to xenophobic violence in SA.

We can’t compete at that level without that European flavour or experience