Johannesburg – Unlike many of his predecessors, new Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is already moving to meet all Premier Soccer League coaches, while backing up prior promises with immediate action.
Igesund said he was planning a similar mission overseas in the next couple of weeks.
“The PSL coaches obviously have an intimate and updated knowledge of all their players that I can't possibly have at my fingertips,” the Bafana coach said in an interview on Monday from Cape Town.
He was holding discussions with officials of Santos and Ajax Cape Town, before moving on to Durban and Bloemfontein.
“I want to have a close rapport with all of them to assist me in selecting the best possible South African squad.”
Igesund said in his 20 years at the helm of the PSL clubs, Manning Rangers, Santos, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, winning a record four Premier League titles, he had often gone an entire season without speaking to Bafana coach.
“For my part, I'm not scared to ask for advice, although the buck stops right here and I must make the final decisions. Any help I can get, from any source, will always be appreciated.
“I've already implemented an advisory committee of seasoned campaigners like Clive Barker, Shakes Mashaba and Jomo Sono, with whom I will exchange ideas,” said Igesund.
“I want to form a similar kind of relationship with all the PSL coaches.”
As for his overseas sortie, which will probably be for a period of 10 to 14 days, Igesund said he hoped to meet every player who was a viable Bafana candidate, their club managers and their business agents.
“In this way I will be able to have a working relationship with all of them, know their problems, fitness levels and when they will be available to play for Bafana.”
Among the countries Igesund plans to visit are England, Holland, Greece, Belgium, and Israel.
High on his list of priorities would be a meeting in England with current South African captain Steven Pienaar. After this he would make a final decision and announcement on Bafana's on-the-field leadership. – Sapa