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Johannesburg - Less than 24 hours before Gordon Igesund and Steve Komphela, the two remaining contenders for the Bafana Bafana coaching position, are due to face their final interviews, there was no certainty when the final choice would be announced.
"I'm in the dark as much as anyone," said Safa media director Dominic Chimhavi on Friday afternoon about the process to select the new coach.
"Igesund and Komphela will make their final representations to the executive tomorrow morning.
"But whether the executive will announce a decision tomorrow - or even make a decision tomorrow - remains open to conjecture."
Meanwhile, in a statement released by SA Football Association (Safa), president Kirsten Nematandani refuted reports that there was a split between the technical committee and the executive who would make the final decision.
"It has long been the standard procedure at Safa for a technical committee to interview and appraise candidates for the Bafana coaching position," said Nematandani.
"And then make a recommendation to the executive - who will then make the final choice.
"It's simply mischievous to suggest that members of the technical committee were not aware of the procedure and were up in arms over the fact that it was the executive who would make the final ruling."
Igesund and Komphela are the only two candidates left in the running, to replace sacked Pitso Mosimane, after Gavin Hunt, Shakes Mashaba and Neil Tovey were eliminated.
Igesund, in the interim, on Monday resumed his position as coach of Moroka Swallows, last season's Premier League runners-up, in preparation for the 2012/13 season.
"Steve (Komphela) and I are due to make final representations to the Safa executive tomorrow," confirmed Igesund.
"We were told the final decision for the Bafana post would be announced shortly afterwards, but for the meantime, it's business as usual with Swallows as far as I am concerned.
"I've been in the game too long to jump the gun or take anything for granted."
Igesund recalled how he had been told officially, 10 years ago, that the special committee entrusted with choosing the Bafana coach at the time, had nominated him - only for the Safa executive to turn over the decision and announce Trott Moloto as the national coach.
"I would be lying if I did not admit that I look at the possibility of coaching Bafana as a great challenge and, what anyone in my position would consider, a stepping stone - but I've learnt to accept what life serves up."
He also admitted it would not be easy leaving Swallows after "an amazing year" with the Birds.
"But I'm not thinking of that right now," he added.
The club's CEO Leon Prins had told Igesund it would be with great reluctance that he would receive the club's blessing if the Bafana post materialised.
"But he understands my position, and our close relationship will be unimpaired no matter what happens."
