OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 5.30pm.
BAFANA Bafana coach Trott Moloto has responded to the firestorm of criticism after his team’s second shock loss to Namibia, 4-1 on penalties this weekend. Moloto tried to refocus the calls for his head to a number of factors he blames for the defeat.
Meanwhile South African Football Association (Safa) chief Raymond Hack has reiterated that Moloto’s job is safe, at least until the Nations Cup finals. Hack said Moloto was brugh on board to qualify the team for the 2000 finals, and the postion will be re-evaluated after that.
Moloto called attention to the fitness and strength of his players, who have just completed pre-season training. He questioned who was to blame if his players weren’t fit, saying it wasn’t him.
Lack of experience was also cited by Moloto as a key factor in the defeat. Thabo Mngomeni had his first experience as Bafana Bafana’s captain in place of Lucas Radebe, and Moloto has been selecting younger players to give them international experience. International experience of surprise losses, however, is surely not what he had in mind.
Moloto finally argued that the players themselves made numerous chances to score and break the 1-1 deadlock, but failed to capitalise on them. If the players don’t score when they have the chance, said Moloto, that doesn’t help win the game.
Still, Moloto accepted his share of the responsibility, saying that when results aren’t good, one person must take responsiblity, and that is the coach. Moloto has produced a rather dismal record at the helm of Bafana Bafana losing four games, drawing four, and winning only three out of 11 matches.