Jaco van der Merwe

Johannesburg - The long knives are out for national soccer coach Joel Santana, but former players have warned that the sacking of the Brazilian will not guarantee a winning team.

Bafana Bafana have their backs to the wall less than nine months before the World Cup following their dismal performances the past three months. They suffered their eighth defeat in nine games this week when they were beaten by Iceland, who are 23 places below them on the rankings.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) gave Santana the assurance that he will at least still be in charge for next month’s games against Japan and Jamaica, but the poor performance against Iceland may well expedite his departure.

Even more so after rumours that compatriot Carlos Parreira may take over the reins again shortly.

Two former Bafana stars - Mark Fish and Andre Arendse - told Sport24 that Santana’s sacking would not necessarily be a recipe for success. They believe SAFA and the players also have to shoulder some of the blame.

Are Bafana’s players good enough?

Fish: It is always the coaches that are in the firing line when the team does not achieve success, but the players’ abilities are never questioned. We will never know whether they are good enough, whether the coach’s tactics are poor or whether the players are just not up to it from a tactical perspective.

Arendse: Our performances in the Confederations Cup shows that we have the players. We would never have won the tournament, but competed well with the world’s best teams. All of a sudden we have experienced a dip and the defenders are no longer cleaning up, we’re not stopping attacks in midfield and are not scoring goals. SAFA, the coaching staff and the players will have to find a solution and quickly.

Should Santana be worried?

Fish: If he is sacked, it should happen now. It does not help to struggle on against Japan and Jamaica if there may be a new coach by then. And if we beat Japan 1-0 with a penalty? It surely won’t be enough for him to keep his job.

Arendse: It is not good for a team to change coaches shortly before a World Cup, but that is no guarantee. In 2002, SAFA fired Carlos Queiroz shortly before the World Cup and replaced him with Jomo Sono.

Should Parreira take over again?

Fish: Parreira built a team that played with pride. He knows the players and SAFA could do worse than bringing him back.

Arendse: If he really had the desire and passion, he would never have left. It is ridiculous to think that Bafana will want him back now.

Should Bafana cast their net wider and give Amajita’s under-20 stars a chance?

Fish: I can’t see why Bafana should not give a few of the under-20 players opportunities against Japan and Jamaica. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Arendse: It does not help they change Bafana’s squad now. These guys will get their opportunities at the next World Cup.