Still no light shed on Bafana appointment

The South African Football Association continue to delay the announcement of a new head coach, though it still seems likely Stuart Baxter will be given the job from the beginning of July.

Safa president Danny Jordaan and CEO Dennis Mumble do not appear in any hurry to name their new man, with both in the United States as part of continued co-operation discussions with the United States Soccer Federation.

Baxter, meanwhile, was in Liberia over the weekend with SuperSport United, as they drew 1-1 with Barrack Young Controllers in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup play-off. The prize for the winners is a place in the group stages of the continent’s second-tier club competition. The return leg will be played on Sunday, and in between that SuperSport have an Absa Premiership Tshwane derby on Thursday against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Matsatsantsa really need to get their title challenge back on track after a surprising defeat at home to Baroka FC in their last match, though there can be little doubt that the speculation over Baxter’s future has had an effect.

SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews had said he hoped for a conclusion to Baxter’s negotiations with Safa by last Friday, but there is still no official word over whether any contract has been signed. Matthews also appeared to be out of the country yesterday.

Matsatsantsa have made it clear that any deal with Safa will be dependent on Baxter seeing out the season with SuperSport, and on an agreement between Safa and SuperSport over an early termination of Baxter’s contract.