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| Thomas Madigage @ Backpagepix |
The SA Football Association (Safa) have announced the appointment of Thomas Madigage as assistant to Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund.
The appointment, along with that of former technical director Serame Letsoaka, who will only assist when the national team is in camp, is aimed at strengthening the Bafana technical team in their quest for success in the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 and in qualifying for the Fifa World Cup 2014.
The position of Bafana full-time assistant coach has gone to long-serving SuperSport United assistant coach, Madigage. According to Safa, Madigage was Igesund’s first choice for the position, as he wanted to work with an assistant coach who has achieved great success in that position and who would complement his own style and strengths.
"There were many great candidates that I considered,” said Igesund, “but I am delighted that Tommy has accepted this position, and I look forward to working with him with immediate effect."
Safa chief executive, Dr Robin Petersen, thanked SuperSport United for their willingness to release Madigage at short notice for national duty.
"We are grateful to the club for allowing us to take Tommy into our national team structures. We realise that this has a negative impact on them, but we applaud them for allowing us to put the country first,” said Dr Petersen.
Chairman of the Safa technical committee, Fanyana Sibanyoni, also announced that the Bafana Bafana’s head coach had requested that a ‘reference group’, consisting of Jomo Sono, Clive Barker and Shakes Mashaba, be appointed by the association to provide input and support.
"We are delighted with this ‘brains trust’,” said Sibanyoni. “They will assist the coach as needed by him. Gordon recommended this panel to us, and we are convinced that this panel will provide him with the necessary support he needs in getting the best out of the team."
President of Safa, Kirsten Nematandani, expressed his delight at the finalisation of the technical team.
"Now that the Coach has concluded this critical matter in line with his preferred choices, we pledge the association’s full support to him and his team as they undertake this exciting and challenging journey. We ask the nation to rally around them and carry them to anticipated success."
Other key appointments to the technical team are as follows:
Serame Letsoaka – Second Assistant Coach (for national team camps)
Alex Heredia – Goalkeeper Coach
Zak van Heerden – Physiologist/Physical Trainer
Dr Carl Tabane – Team Doctor
Godfrey Sepuru – Physiotherapist
Thabiso Moshane – Masseur
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