A devious conspiracy aimed at removing Stuart Baxter from his position as Bafana Bafana coach achieved its objective — and succeeded in sabotaging South Africa’s bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
This provocative view was expressed by Baxter on Thursday barely 48 hours after it was officially announced that the British-born coach had resigned from his position with Bafana on the eve of the African Nations Cup tournament in Egypt in January and February.
”I have no doubt in my mind that the turning point in South Africa’s 2006 World Cup campaign coincided with a bitter, irrational campaign against me that was launched by one media publication, in particular,” added the outgoing Bafana coach, ”with the strong possibility that a group of top South African soccer officials was in cahoots with them.
”But so great was the obsession to remove me as Bafana coach that those involved were either oblivious of the damage their campaign would cause the Bafana bid to reach next year’s World Cup — or they cared less as long as they achieved their objective to remove me from the coaching role.”
Baxter pointed out that at the time the campaign was launched against him, Bafana headed Africa’s group-two World Cup-qualifying segment ahead of eventual winners Ghana and were well positioned to reach next year’s event in Germany.
”The intensity of the campaign was not only a shattering body blow to me,” said the former Bafana coach, ”but it affected the morale of the players and the team’s technical staff as well.”
Baxter said he had been warned that a group of zealots would be after his ”blood” like a bunch of jackals even before he assumed his position as Bafana coach 18 months ago.
”I thought I could handle it,” he added, ”but I was a little naive about the extent of the underhand and dishonest tactics used against me.”
Baxter said he was speaking his mind because he had formed a close affinity with South Africa and South Africans and felt it was his duty to issue a warning that until ”the cancer” was removed, the country’s soccer would have no chance of fulfilling its potential.
”I’m not the first Bafana coach to suffer in this way,” he added meaningfully. ”The startling record of 11 national soccer coaches in 11 years speaks for itself.”
Baxter said his decision to resign had been made with a great deal of soul-searching and was delivered in a manner in which his pride and integrity superseded financial considerations.
”I could have stayed on until my contract expired in July next year,” he added, ”or waited for a golden handshake. But in the deteriorating environment I don’t think this would have benefited me — or South African soccer.
”For all this, I hoped even after submitting my resignation that there would be some indication from Safa [the South African Football Association] that the remedies required to put Bafana back on track would be implemented — and I could continue as coach. But nothing was forthcoming.
”What gives me great satisfaction, even after Bafana had gone nine games without a victory, was the overwhelming support I always received from the players.
”When a soccer team is in trouble, it’s invariably the case for the players to blame the coach. Instead, the Bafana squad supported me to the hilt.”
On his future, Baxter said he had rejected offers from Sweden, Japan and England while at the helm of Bafana — and he would initially investigate the possibility of these posts remaining available to him.
”I would not be honest if I said the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was not at the back of my mind when I accepted the position of Bafana coach,” he said, ”even though my contract only extended until 2006.
”I sold my house in England and took what I considered a worthwhile gamble,” he added. ”Unfortunately it has not turned out the way I had hoped.” — Sapa