I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MKHALELE, SAYS BROOS

BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he won’t replace his first assistant Cedo Janevski, given that he has complete confidence in Helman Mkhalele.

On Saturday, Safa held their first National Executive Committee meeting post the National Elective Congress.

And that’s where chief executive Tebogo Motlanthe broke the news that the Macedonian has since resigned, taking up a coaching post in Cyprus.

Janevski joined Bafana alongside Broos last year, with the pair having formed a bond, including off the field, in Belgium during their respective careers.

During his Bafana stint, Janevski helped the team to four wins, three draws and three losses in all competitions, including World Cup qualifiers.

However, he got offers in the last few months, such that Broos didn’t have an option but to give him his blessings to go and join AEL Limassol.

“It was not the first time that he got an offer. Everyone, including me, knows that Cedo is a good coach,” Broos said.

“But you can understand that when someone gets a third offer in a year, it’s difficult to refuse. That’s when I gave him permission to start negotiations.”

The resignation of Janevski means that Mkhalele will remain as Broos’ only deputy as the Belgian doesn’t see the need to strengthen his technical team.

Mkhalele was introduced into the team as a local assistant, due to his knowledge about South African football. He led Bafana in the Cosafa Cup and Chan qualifiers.

“If I was going to replace him (Janevski), it was going to be, again, a Belgian because I don’t have enough information about a South African,” Broos said.

“But I am confident in what I have now. I didn’t know Helman a year ago. And that’s why you have to take someone from your country when you go abroad.

“You can trust that person 100%. You know how they are working. There’s no adaptation, but Helman helped me more than Cedo in the first months here.

“He knows a lot about local football. I know his opinions about other things. So, why should I take another Belgian coach? I have confidence in him.”