Crusty, ring-wise Romanian-born former Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates coach Ted Dumitru was on Monday unanimously proclaimed by the local soccer media as the hottest favourite to take over from Stuart Baxter as a caretaker Bafana Bafana coach for the African Nations Cup in Egypt early next year.
Although South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Raymond Hack insisted an announcement would only be forthcoming on Friday and ”a lot of work still has to be done in this connection”, six Johannesburg newspapers have proclaimed without reservation ”Dumitru already has the job”.
The only speculation, it would seem, revolves round who would be Dumitru’s assistant — with former Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, Supersport United coach Pitso Mosimane, South Africa Under-23 coach Steve Komphela and former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan among those with varied support.
Dumitru, himself, was non-committal when approached at the groundbreaking launch of Safa’s new Soccer City headquarters on Monday — although one analyst suggested he looked ”as smug and content as a cat who had been handed a bowl of cream”.
”I can only talk as a member of the technical committee,” he added, ”but there are some major surprises in store — not necessarily about the appointment of the coach, but about the Bafana set-up generally.”
”As to whether I’m available for the coaching position,” he added, ”the answer is yes, if I am needed.”
Though it is not inconceivable that a late detractor or two will be gunning for Dumitru, he remains the hot favourite. — Sapa