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Queiroz - worst kept secret?

Cape Town - Will the worst kept secret in SA soccer be revealed on Saturday afternoon when South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan names Carlos Queiroz as the next Bafana Bafana coach?

According to reports it's a done deal, with the current Iran coach set to take over from Gordon Igesund for a second stint at the helm of the SA national side.

The only apparent stumbling block?

Money.

As it so frequently is in the world of football.

According to an AFP report, Queiroz is demanding a staggering $200 000 (R2.1 million) PER MONTH - which is rumoured to be four-times Igesund's salary.

Queiroz, 61, led Iran to the recently concluded Soccer World Cup in Brazil where the Middle East side proved to be stubborn opponents, holding Nigeria to a goalless draw and keeping eventual runners-up Argentina scoreless until Lionel Messi struck in stoppage time.

Tehran reports say the two-time assistant to former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been offered a $2.5-million-a-year deal (R26.3 million) to continue at the helm of Iran.

Worryingly for SA some 24 hours from the expected announcement is the fact that Jordaan is reported to have said that there are "other candidates" available.

Jordaan, who reportedly favours Queiroz, has vowed not to become entangled in a bidding war.

"If Queiroz is unavailable, there are other candidates," he told reporters.

"We will not become involved in a bidding war."

So where does that leave Bafana Bafana should Queiroz, who coached the national team between 2000-2002 stick to his guns and refuse to back down on his salary demands and stay in Iran?

Does SAFA have a "Plan B" at this very late stage?

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi and South Africa Under-23 coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba are considered the only other candidates.

Keshi became the first African coach to reach the second round of a Soccer World Cup in Brazil, but conflicting reports exist regarding whether Nigeria have offered the former Super Eagles skipper a new contract.

He reportedly earns $30 000 (R315 000) a month so the 52-year-old would present no salary problems for South Africa.

Nor would 63-year-old former Bafana handler Mashaba, who is in Mali this weekend as part of a west Africa tour with the South Africa Under-23 squad.

South African football supporters have endlessly debate the merits of hiring a local or foreign coach whenever a vacancy occurs.

And there have been plenty!

South Africa have hired 17 coaches - 10 local and seven foreign - since readmission to international football in 1992.

Queiroz... Keshi... Mashaba? Are any the aforementioned threesome really significantly better than Igesund? Can any coach really drag Bafana Bafana out of the mire?

All will be revealed on Sport24 on Saturday, July 26!

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