I was simply gutted to read reports saying Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki is still on his assistant coach salary.
The man was appointed in the position three months ago following Stuart Baxter’s resignation after two years in charge of the senior national team.
The South African Football Association (Safa) was accused of picking Ntseki because he was the “cheaper” option.
But Safa president Danny Jordaan denied this and didn’t even hide the fact he was irritated to be asked that question.
I don’t know why Bra Danny went on a rant about it when he could have just simply said “no”, but he became very defensive instead.
He went on and on about how disappointed he was that such a question was raised even when Shakes Mashaba was appointed the Bafana head coach.
He said: “Every time we appoint a black coach, you come with the notion of a cheap coach.”
As soon as he said that, adding that Bra Shakes was paid more than even Gordon Igesund I knew then and that there was a bigger issue.
I remember very clearly that Brazilian coaches Carlos Alberto Parreira and Joel Santana’s salaries were raised countless times in the media.
PAID: Baxter was paid handsomely by Safa. Picture: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix.
Bra Danny didn’t get defensive about that but defended the appointed of the Brazilians back then - specifically because of the low returns on the pitch despite being paid those high salaries.
Jordaan was frustrated with the question about Ntseki’s salary situation because they had clearly not really agreed about payments with the new Bafana coach back then already.
Instead of being straight-up, he chose to be all defensive about it.
Look, I don’t think it should be our problem how much a national coach is paid, but what I don’t understand is why Safa don’t get these kind of things sorted out so that they don’t become an issue.
It’s one thing to be paid a high salary, but it’s something completely different to have a coach on the same salary he was on as the assistant coach when he is the head coach.
And Ntseki has been a loyal servant of the national setup.
He worked with Baxter and Mashaba for Bafana and even worked alongside Owen Da Gama and Thabo Senong when they were in charge of the U20 and U23 teams.
He has not only been patiently working his way up the ranks, but has also collected massive experience from the U17 World Cup as head coach and assistant in the U20 showpiece and Olympics.
RANT: Safa boss Danny Jordaan. Picture: Lebo Edgar/BacjpagePix.
Why you do such a guy dirty like this makes me feel really sad.
This is the guy who will look after the nation’s flagship football team.
This is the guy we expect to do a job in what seems like will be a tricky 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
We expect him to guide the team past Ghana, Sudan and Sao Tome e Principe to the Cameroon event and probably do well while there too.
But if you dare ask Safa, they will go on an ultra-defensive about the salary issue being “none of our business”.
Just pay the man whatever you guys agree on and let’s keep it moving!