Bafana Bafana
Komphela joins Bafana
2012-03-27 09:38
Johannesburg - Former Bafana Bafana skipper Steve Komphela is back with the senior men's national team as assistant coach to beleaguered Pitso Mosimane, according to a
Sowetan report..
Komphela has agreed to a package offered to him by the South African Football Association for the job.
A source close to the developments between the two parties said
Komphela had a meeting with SAFA chief executive Robin Petersen at the
weekend and agreed to join the Bafana technical staff.
"Following the meeting with Robin, Steve went to the owners of Free
State Stars to inform them that he has reached an agreement with the
federation," said the source who preferred not to be identified.
"Steve is over the moon with the Bafana Bafana coaching job. He told
Stars' bosses that he is going back to Bafana Bafana to beef up the
technical staff.
"It's a lot of money (they have offered to him) chief. Expect SAFA to parade him on Thursday," added the source.
But the source refused to mention figures. Komphela will be the second assistant coach after Brazilian Jairo Leal.
The agreement between SAFA and Komphela is that the latter will be
employed on a part-time basis, a position once held by Khabo Zondo, who
is now head coach of Transnet Football School of Excellence.
Komphela is still negotiating with Ea Lla Koto to give him the
go-ahead to assist Bafana in their quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup in Brazil.
Stars are expected to allow him to join Bafana on a part-time basis until the end of the season as a temporary arrangement.
Approached for comment, Komphela said: "I have a contract with Stars
to coach the club and I don't know what you are talking about. We are
working hard with my players to end the season on a high note."
The philosophical trainer added that his aim was to guide his
unfancied Stars side to the Nedbank Cup and league double this season.
In a post match interview after eliminating Orlando Pirates out of
the Nedbank Cup in Soweto on Saturday night, the articulate Komphela
said he wanted to leave a legacy at the Free State club.
The return of Komphela to Bafana technical set-up put to rest reports
that Mosimane's former assistant at SuperSport United, Thomas Madigage,
was coming on board.
Komphela has also been linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs at the end
of the season, but this has been consistently denied by Amakhosi
general manager Bobby Motaung and Komphela.
Rated as one of the best local coaches in the Premiership, Komphela
last worked for SAFA as assistant coach to Stuart Baxter at Bafana. He
has also coached the Under-23 national side and Amajita. SAFA will
unveil Komphela and new Majimbos (Under-17 national side) coach Farouk
Khan on Thursday.
Petersen and Khan were not available for comment on Monday.