Krol to lead Bafana Bafana against Super Eagles

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has hired former Orlando Pirates coach, Ruud Krol to lead Bafana Bafana in their Cameroun 2019 African Nations Cup and the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

South Africa will meet Nigeria in a Cameroun 2019 Nations Cup qualifier in June and Krol’s mandate is to ensure the Bafana Bafana beat the Super Eagles to the ticket. Nigeria and South Africa missed the Gabon 2017 edition of the Nations Cup.

According to Africanfootball.com, Krol’s appointment follows months of speculation regarding the vacant coaching job as the association was searching for Shakes Mashaba’s replacement.

Mashaba was axed in December last year after he was found guilty of gross misconduct following his utterances towards SAFA bosses after the 2-1 win over Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Names such as Stuart Baxter, Gavin Hunt, Hugo Broos, Herve Renard and Carlos Queiroz have been mentioned as possible candidates to lead the side.
However, according to The Mail & Guardian, SAFA have settled for the Dutch mentor as he is seen as someone with extensive knowledge of the African game, both at club and national level.

It is reported that the ex-Oranje skipper has agreed terms and conditions with SAFA to take charge of Bafana after the organisation had initially flirted with Queiroz.

After failing to secure their preferred candidate and with Bafana due to line-up against Guinea Bissau and Angola in friendly matches in the next seven days, SAFA opted for the ex-Zamalek and CS Sfaxien manager.

“He has coached in his native Holland. But he has also worked mainly in Africa since 1994 when he took charge of the Egyptian U-23’s and later the senior team and what appears to have given him an added advantage is that he is available to start working without delay,” said a source to the Mail & Guardian.

“SAFA stated openly when they advertised the post that the criteria required for a successful Bafana Bafana coach would be an intimate and extensive knowledge of the African game.

“The criteria as elucidated by SAFA goes on to point out that the successful candidate must have an excellent understanding of the South African playing philosophy, or playing style, as some people like to describe our approach to the game.

“In fact, it goes on to explain that he must have international coaching experience with a good track record allied to a vision and passion for football development and good player management to complete SAFA’s Vision 2022.”