Bafana Bafana striker Kermit Erasmus is backing new coach Molefi Ntseki to make the most of his tenure as national team boss.
Ntseki was named caretaker after Stuart Baxter quit last month before being confirmed as permanent coach last weekend.
And Cape Town City hitman Erasmus reckons the long-time assistant now has the chance to step out of the shadows after being tasked to lead Bafana to Afcon 2019 and World Cup 2020.
Ahead of their first assignment, Saturday’s friendly against Zambia in Lusaka, Erasmus says: “I think, given the chance, he can grow as a coach. Definitely.”
BELIEF: Kermit Erasmus believes given time former Bafana assistant coach Melefe Ntseki, left, could outperform Stuart Baxter, right. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix.
Erasmus has scored twice this season and says Ntseki can get the best out of him and his teammates.
He adds: “I worked with him in the U17 side, he’s known me since I was a young boy.
“I’m looking forward to working with him again.
"He is a great coach, very intelligent tactician. He understands the game really well and understands us players really well.”
The City ace will compete for a chance to lead Bafana Bafana’s attack with fellow strikers Lebo Mothiba and Bradley Grobler.
Bafana Bafana will play Madagascar on Saturday, 7 September 2019 at Orlando Stadium. Kick off 19h00. The match will replace the cancelled Zambia friendly pic.twitter.com/yFTYOPv6C4
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 4, 2019
Zambia have since withdrawn from their game against Bafana this weekend citing, "prevailing security concerns" following xenophobic attacks in parts of the country.
Safa have announced Madagascar as the replacement team for the match this weekend.