/ 10 October 2005

What’s next for Baxter and Bafana Bafana?

Where to, Bafana Bafana? And where to, coach Stuart Baxter? These were the complex questions on the minds of most South African soccer followers on Sunday following the 2-2 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the consequent qualification for the African Nations Cup tournament in Egypt early next year.

A widespread misconception is that the issue of Baxter completing his contract as Bafana coach, which is due to run until the middle of next year, now rests firmly in the hands of the South African Football Association (Safa).

However, if the coach’s tenure is terminated before the African Nations Cup, it is more likely to be at the instigation of Baxter himself than through the whims or wishes of the body that appointed him.

Baxter was non-committal on his future when approached on the issue.

”I would not be honest if I said everything had gone as I had hoped when I arrived in South Africa 18 months ago,” he said. ”The failure to qualify for the World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow — as much for me as for anyone. But South Africa remains a country with great potential and a great future generally. And, in principle, I remain committed to be part of this future.

”However, from a soccer viewpoint, there are some basic issues that will have to be rectified if my relationship with Bafana is to continue on the terms of the contract I signed with Safa.”

An issue high on this list is what the coach described as ”the stifling poison within that is stunting the development of soccer in the country”.

”It’s all very well for the zealous fanatics to pursue a hell-bent course on destroying the national coach, whether it is myself or someone else,” he added meaningfully. ”But these self-same people seem unable to comprehend they are destroying the aspirations of the national team in the process.’

The excruciating disappointment of failing to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals and an uneasy path into the African Nations Cup tournament in Egypt, which remained in doubt until Saturday’s final fixture against the DRC, are sure to give coach Baxter’s detractors ample ammunition to pursue their campaign.

But the Bafana coach has two factors working strongly in his favour before he undertakes what is sure to be no-holds-barred, showdown discussions with Safa in the not-too-distant future.

He has secured the overwhelming support and respect of the vast majority of Bafana players, who see him as ”a true, dedicated professional”.

And the lack of qualifications, soccer experience and expertise of his detractors, by and large, is generally at a level to suggest Bafana might lose every game 15-0 if they were ever to gain control of the national team. — Sapa