There has been some confusion as to the exact role of the Watchdog Trio and their responsibilities to SAFA. Three PSL heavyweights – Gavin Hunt, Jomo Sono and Clive Barker – have been asked to assess Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana’s progress with the team.
Confusing Reports on Santana’s Reaction to Watchdogs
Reports are also confusing – some of the media reports say that beleaguered Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana only found out about his watchdog trio through the media and has barred them from training, teamtalks and even speaking to the team – other reports like the one on football 355, says that Santana has welcomed the appointment of the three technical assessors who will run the rule over Bafana’s friendly matches against Norway on Saturday and against Iceland next Tuesday.
More Coaches to Speak About Bafana Bafana
“I feel happy because all the speculation will end that I don’t speak to the local coaches, now with this arrangement we will have more coaches to speak to about Bafana Bafana. “ Now we have the assessors and the directors to help and give support.”
Well, maybe that is the finessed version – after he first threw a tantrum it is said. It is well known that the conservative Brazilian is very authoritarian and I am sure that he would not like to have his judgment questioned, especially with the eyes of the soccer world on South Africa in the run-up the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Joel Santana – On the Way Out?
Is Joel Santana on the way out? That is not clear. However, there is no doubt that somehow, between the Confederations Cup and now, Coach Joel Santana has taken his eye off the ball (and his team). Instead of growing and building on the strength of the Confed Cup – the South African National Football Team has just slipped into a state of indecision and lack of confidence. And the fans are baying for blood.
G
avin Hunt of Supersport United
Supersport United Coach, Gavin Hunt spoke to Soccer Laduuuuma! “Well our job is to assess the next couple of games and then to formulate a report to SAFA. SAFA will decide what to do with the report dependent on the performances. We won’t consider Bafana’s history under Santana and in fact, we will only consider the games that we have ahead of us. The report that we formulate will not carry any recommendations regarding, for example, the re-call of Benni McCarthy or Nasief Morris. It will be a thorough account of how the team does against Norway and Iceland and that’s all,” said Hunt.
Clive Barker – “Bafana Bafana call-up”
Usuthu technical advisor Clive Barker, in his The Dogg Barks column, chats about his expectations and his latest “Bafana Bafana call-up.I got a call on Tuesday late in the afternoon from SAFA CEO Raymond Hack asking me whether I would be interested in working with Gavin Hunt and Jomo Sono in helping Bafana Bafana in their quest to be successful in the 2010 World Cup.
“I think what the president and SAFA have shown is the feeling which I had made public in that I believe that local coaches have achieved by far the best record in coaching not only the national team, but also at club level.
“All we want to do is to help Joel Santana in his quest to win the World Cup. It will not be backstabbing, he will hear directly from us, rather than through different parties. I think what this means as well is that the image of Bafana Bafana and South Africa will be enhanced.”
Photo: Gavin Hunt
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