Mosimane apologises to the nation

Added: Friday, November 04, 2011 (10:59)

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has at last said "I'm sorry" to South Africans, following the team's failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Safa took the stage on October 19 to apologise to the nation for failing to read and understand the Afcon qualifiers rules that to a large extent cost Bafana a place in the biennial tournament.

However, Mosimane has unconditionally apologised to South Africa at large, with the intention to take "full responsibility" for the failure and to put the matter to rest.

Meanwhile, Safa CEO Robin Peterson has made public the steps taken by the association following the sorry performance.

In hindsight, the association has admitted to its flaws, specifically in administration, and has taken action to prevent a recurrence in future.

First, Peterson has disclosed that Safa has meted out punishment to those responsible for not reading and understanding the Afcon rules, particularly the coaching staff led by Pitso Mosimane.

"Inevitably, there will be questions as to my promise to you around what processes and what steps we have taken in response to the Afcon qualifying situation. So here are the steps and recommendations that we have made regarding this process so we can put this to bed and move on," Peterson says.

"In terms of the recommendations that have been accepted, firstly, is that internal disciplinary measures have been taken against relevant individuals within the national team, the coaching department.

"The details are confidential, but those processes have been completed," he states.

In an attempt to avoid a repeat, Safa have tasked Ace Kika, the director of all national teams, to oversee matters pertaining to the rules.

"Mr Ace Kika has been charged with the responsibility of managing this process for all national teams and for all competitions. This process will include input from the technical committee, technical director, Safa head of legal and the relevant coaches.

"[Kika] must also convene a workshop for each tournament with all the relevant parties on receipt of all rules and any points of contention or lack of clarity must be discussed formally and clarified. We will also be looking in a very short space of time to appoint an assistant manager for the senior national team to boost in administration and logistical support in that department," he says.

"CAF will also be requested formally to convene workshops for their competitions, apart from those that are hosted by Fifa," Peterson continues.

Peterson further says Safa's plan to revive the Transnet School of Excellence, that in the past produced players such as Steven Pienaar, is firmly on course.

"Fundamental to our overall response is to reiterate our commitment as an association to put in place and accelerating the process of building a rich pipeline of talent for the country so that the process of qualification and international success is driven by medium to long-term vision … In this regard, our national academies plan has been approved as part of our national development framework and the association has begun the process of implementing that vision.

"We as an association undertake to ensure and to promise you as a nation that something like this [Afcon qualifiers bungle] will never happen again," Peterson concludes.

Story by Tiyani wa ka Mabasa
Courtesy of KickOff.com