Gordon Igesund will remain as South Africa coach, says Nematandani

Gordon Igesund will stay on as South Africa coach, says Nematandani

Feb 4, 2013 10:50:00 AM

The 56-year-old failed to guide his country to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, but will have the chance to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

EXCLUSIVE
By Ernest Makhaya

Kirsten Nematandani, president of the South African Football Association (Safa), has insisted that Gordon Igesund will stay on as national team coach, despite their failure to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The hosts were eliminated by Mali on penalties at the last eight stage on Saturday, but their boss will remain in charge as he pursues qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

“Gordon had two mandates, to guide the team to the semifinals of Afcon and also to make sure that we qualify for the 2014 Fifa World Cup,” he told Goal.com.

“Gordon was told to achieve at least one of the two mandates, but there is no harm in achieving both,” he said.

However, Nematandani refused to comment on the possibility of Igesund being dismissed if he failed to reach Brazil next year.

“I will not want to speculate on that. We will cross that bridge when we get there, but I believe true South Africans have seen what Gordon has done since he was appointed."

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