New Bafana Bafana interim coach Ted Dumitru is a rather confident man, but he failed to put his head on the block on Friday about his team’s chances of winning the African Cup of Nations.
Soon after Dumitru was announced as the man to take Bafana to the continental showpiece in Egypt in January, Dumitru was only prepared to tell journalists that they ”are going to do it”.
”Every team approaches competitions with the aim of winning them, but whether we win it or not will be determined by a few circumstances,” said Dumitru.
Already disadvantaged by the limited time period in which he has to assemble and prepare a squad, Dumitru was rather upbeat about his team’s prospects in Egypt.
”Although it is a short time, we realise that the mission is important. I cannot make promises, but we need to acknowledge our weaknesses. It is a very difficult task if one considers the time; however, I believe in my crew and we can achieve what we are supposed to achieve,” added Dumitru.
Dumitru in his usual outspoken manner also declined former coach Stuart Baxter’s offer to act as an adviser to the technical team with an emphatic ”no”.
Dumitru will commence his duties from December 1 and his contract with the South African Football Association will run until the end of February.
However, Dumitru did confirm that he is available to take on the Bafana hot seat permanently until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
”Yes,” Dumitru said after being asked if he would make himself available. — Sapa