SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Mixed reactions after national soccer team coach Joel Santana, is axed

Record ID: 452139

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Mixed reactions after national soccer team coach Joel Santana, is axed
  • Date: 21st October 2009
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (OCTOBER 20, 2009) (REUTERS) CARS DRIVING AND PEDESTRIANS WALKING ON A JOHANNESBURG STREET MEN STANDING AND TALKING NEXT TO NEWSPAPER STAND
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8HUMTYN4LF85VV0PKIOOHJ42Q
  • Story Text: The axing of Joel Santana as coach of South Africa's national soccer team has been greeted with mixed reactions from the public.
    The national team has suffered an embarrassing run with eight losses out of nine matches and a descent to 85th position in the FIFA world rankings, their lowest since 1994.
    South Africa is set to host the 2010 World Cup in less than eight months, the first time the tournament will be held on African soil, and their are fears that Santana's departure will interrupt the preparations of the South African side.
    "I don't think it was good, I think they should have given him another chance because you can see the improvement in the tactics of the game. They just have a problem with the strikers, you know." Amu Khoza said.
    "I think it was unfair because they are the ones who went out looking for him, right? So why should he get dismissed just like that, but if they feel he has to go, I've got nothing to say about it." said Linda Moholoagae.
    Santana, who had been at the helm for 17 months, failed to guide the South African national team to qualify for next year's African Nations Cup in Angola. This will be the first time that South Africa will not be appearing at the tournament since their re-admission into international football.
    "Well, we can't always blame the coaches, our soccer players must look at themselves, practice more, because they are good players, we are South Africans we never give up. Don't give up Bafana." said Lorraine van Eden.
    Out of 27 games played under his leadership the squad only managed to win 10 with three draws and 14 losses. Further infuriating South African fans was the Brazilian's exorbitant pay check which stood at close to US$ 200, 000 per month.
    "I'm very happy he's gone because it's long overdue, he was supposed to have gone after the Confederations Cup after he failed to win against a very very weak team like Iraq," said South African soccer fan Peter Mothiba.
    The South African Football Association (SAFA), now under a new leadership, said they would look both in South Africa and elsewhere for a new coach.
    Reports in the local media say former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, also a Brazilian, is tipped to return to the troubled soccer team. It is alleged that although SAFA said Santana's departure was through mutual consent the Brazilian was pushed to leave following his attempts at defending his underachievement.
    Santana told reporters he was never hired to win friendly games, but to lead South Africa to a successful World Cup. Following the national sides' loss against Iceland last week, Santana said he didn't think he would get fired as he had never heard of any coach getting ousted for losing friendly matches.
    Santana was the 15th coach employed by South Africa in as many years.
    The team continue their World Cup preparations next month with home friendlies against Japan and Jamaica, with technical staff members Pitso Mosimane and Jairo Leal coaching until a replacement is found.
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