DURBAN – Former Orlando Pirates mentor Owen da Gama is likely to be redeployed by the South Africa Football Association (Safa) as they are set to appoint Quinton Fortune as the deputy to national coach Stuart Baxter.
Safa confirmed on Wednesday that Fortune is set to hold talks with Safa next week regarding an assistant coach post. He has been recommended by Baxter.
The former Bafana Bafana legend joined the Bafana camp on Wednesday, and is set to travel with the team to Zambia.
Bafana will face Zambia without their coach Baxter, with Thabo Senong taking over.
Last week Bafana drew 2-2 with Zambia in the first leg of the African Nations Championship qualifier in East London.
Baxter is busy with the preparation of Bafana World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde, and he will name his squad to face Cape Verde home and away on Monday.
Safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi told Independent Media that Da Gama’s contract is not in jeopardy, and that he is still under contract with Safa until 2018.
“Owen da Gama is employed by Safa, and the Association can deploy anyone to roles they deemed fit or any other area where their expertise can be utilised,” Chimhavi stated.
Da Gama was hired during the regime of former Bafana coach Ephriam “Shakes” Mashaba.
He worked as Mashaba’s first assistant and Under-23 national team coach, and led the Under-23 side to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro last year.
Da Gama also worked as an interim head coach for Bafana.
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