Oliphant: Santana is our coach

2008-06-25 13:06

Johannesburg - South African Football Association (Safa) president Molefi Oliphant says that the future of South Africa's national coach Joel Santana is secure and that it is unfair for people to expect results so soon.

"I believe we can still qualify, we still have a chance. Yes, we are not in a strong position but we can still do it," he said.

Oliphant has championed the appointment of Santana following the recommendation of former coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira.

While not quite as vociferous in his defence of Santana, Oliphant maintains that the coach has the full support of the association.

However, he did sound out a veiled warning that if the need arose, the Safa bosses would sit down to re-evaluate the situation when "it suited them".

Oliphant, reacting to Bafana Bafana's uninspiring performance against Sierra Leone at Super Stadium on Saturday, said he did not blame South Africans for being anxious or concerned about the perilous situation of the team.

'I understand their frustrations'

"It is natural for people to panic when things are not going well, so I can't blame the public.

"It shows that people are passionate about their country and their team and it is natural for them to be upset, I understand their frustrations," he said.

"It shows that people are passionate about their country and their team."

The goalless draw against Sierra Leone means that South Africa is on the verge of missing the train to Angola - a disastrous situation for a country that will be hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup just three months after the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

The Safa boss confirmed that Bafana's situation was a tough one but emphasised that in football, "nothing is impossible".

This statement was in stark contrast to the many Bafana detractors who have already prepared the obituary for the team's chances of reaching Angola.

"I think it is unfair for anyone to point fingers. I'm not sure it will be wise for us to go around trying to find someone to blame.

Critics

"At this moment we should focus our energies towards making sure that our national team has the right support to qualify," he said.

Not a man to miss an opportunity to have a go at his critics, Oliphant took some time to slam the "hostile" media, whom he accuses of driving anti-Santana sentiment.

"I don't like fighting with the media and I don't want to pick up a fight with you guys even now. But it is unfortunate that some journalists are systematically targeting the coach. It is like some people are watching each and every step he takes and that is regrettable.

"Instead of building, those people are not contributing towards making this team a better and more competitive one. All they do is pass negative messages to the public," Oliphant said.

Asked what he is going to do about it as the man in charge of South African football, Oliphant replied: "What should I do" Maybe you have the answer to that question. I said earlier I'm concerned just like anyone else. But I don't think we can give up hope (of qualifying for Angola) yet. We still have two more games to go.

"We don't know what might happen between that period. This is football, anything is possible. I'm an optimist, I always look at the positive and even now, I'm looking at the bigger picture.

"We have a new coach who is trying to figure out our style and trying to implement his tactics. I don't think you and I can start passing judgment before we understand what he is trying to do or understand his philosophy.

Qualify

"I don't think it is fair for people to expect results overnight as it takes time and we are building a team for the tournament (2010 World Cup) here. We have to be careful."

Asked what would happen if Bafana Bafana did not qualify for Afcon 2010, Oliphant retorted: "How do you know we won't qualify for Angola?

"We have two more games so on what grounds do you draw such an assumption. We cannot afford to think negatively. I'm positive that things will turn for the better."

Questioned about a previous interview in which he indicated that if Santana failed, he would personally shoulder the blame, Oliphant replied: "What I said is we, as the collective, should all take the blame if things don't go according to plan. But I must stress this is not the time to ask questions like this. We had 11 players on the field, we missed many chances. How is that the fault of the coach? We can't say one man is responsible for the situation; we have to look at the picture holistically. When you are a team you win as a team and when you lose, you lose as a team."

"Santana is our coach, he has a contract until 2010. We have an obligation to respect that. I won't entertain any questions about his future because I don't think that is appropriate at this time," Oliphant concluded.

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