Ntuthuko Maphumulo soccer On paper Carlos Queiroz is one of the best coaches ever to set foot in South Africa. He is known as the “professor” in Portugal, but despite his outstanding achievements he was not well known in Africa until world ruling body Fifa recommended him to the South African Football Association (Safa) as the right man for Bafana Bafana. The person responsible for getting Bafana a new coach, Veli Mahlangu, said: “It is a great relief to end the months of speculation. We believe we have found the right man. His credentials are excellent and fit all our requirements and we are confident he will make an earnest contribution to soccer.”
The new coach has all the technical know-how, which Trott Moloto lacked. Queiroz is a Fifa technical adviser and holds a master’s degree in physical education and sports. Safa president Molefi Olifant did not want to divulge the new coach’s salary, saying only: “A man of his calibre and acumen does not come cheap.” In accepting the job, Queiroz said: “There is tremendous potential in South Africa. I’m here to learn all aspects of this country and the priority will be to succeed in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations finals in 2002 and the World Cup finals the same year.” He will have to win over the demanding Bafana Bafana supporters, who want results – in style. Previous Bafana coach Clive Barker, now with Santos, Gordon Igesund of Pirates and Sergio dos Santos of Cape Town Spurs all called on the public to give Queiroz a chance. Queiroz’s contract begins on September 1 and expires in August 2002. Moloto will be relieved of his duties in the hot seat only after Bafana Bafana play Congo on September 3 in Point Noire in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. The players chosen by Moloto will be looking to impress the new coach. After the game Moloto will become the assistant coach.
Queiroz’s achievements include coaching the Fifa All Stars, who lost 5-1 to world champions France recently, coaching the United Arab Emirates, andtaking the Portuguese under- 20 team to the world title in 1991. That under-20 side was an exceptional one. Many of the Portuguese stars of Euro 2000 – including the world’s most-expensive footballer, Luis Figo – first came to prominence under Queiroz’s guidance. At club level, he coached Sporting Lisbon from 1993 to 1997, the New Jersey Metro Stars in the United States and Grampus 8 in Japan. He also qualified as a coaching course instructor for European national team coaches and directed coaching courses for African and Asian national team coaches in 1989 and 1991.
Through all of this, Queiroz also had some time to write a book, Structural Organisation of Soccer Activities. Just what’s needed at Safa.