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Nelspruit - While Bafana Bafana delivered their most comprehensive result in close to a year, interim coach Steve Komphela refused to be drawn on how his side's 3-0 drubbing of Gabon would affect his future.
Bafana's victory over 49th-ranked Gabon, at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday night, gave them their first positive result from their last nine official matches.
The timing could not be better for Komphela, who will be interviewed for the head-coach position by the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Monday.
Komphela felt the result would not influence SAFA's decision to appoint him for the top job.
"It's got no bearing to be very honest," said Komphela after the game.
"When you look at positions of this nature, it's not immediate and it has to be long term and I'm sure people are going to take a decision.
"There's obviously criteria regarding who we get in there and it would be very unfortunate of me and highly opportunistic if I were to say 'let this match be one of those criterion you put."
Komphela said he expected the panel not to judge him much from the two games in which he had taken charge, and that they would have to think in longer terms before making their choice.
"Unfortunately, this time there is that recognition of the result which I strongly believe they will be highly objective [about] when they take their decisions.
"I will present my case and whoever is the worthy winner, so be it."
Komphela said he would support the new incumbent, even if his application is unsuccessful.
"It is in the best interests of this country that the best candidate goes through and, at any given time, given an opportunity, I shall take it.
"And if it's given to somebody [else], they've got my full support whichever way it goes.
"It doesn't make me less of a South African."
After playing several games where Bafana had dominated the opposition without reward, the coach said little had changed to produce the radically different result.
"I don't want to be very arrogant but I'm sure that [looking at] the chances we missed, we could have added one even two more goals.
"We won the match with confidence and beautiful goals.
"Beautiful football - that comes first.
"That we could, we should, we would, it's always there."
