Matthew Booth backs Pitso Mosimane but questions SAFA succession planning

Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth has welcomed the appointment of Pitso Mosimane as South Africa’s new head coach, while criticising the South African Football Association (SAFA) for taking too long to find Hugo Broos’ successor.

Booth said the delay had created uncertainty ahead of the side’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, which begins at the end of this month.

“I think it’s a very good move (to appoint Mosimane). I think the way that it was done, I have to criticize because it didn’t seem like SAFA had a succession plan, and we were in danger of not having a coach coming up to our first qualifying games, which is a bit nerve-wracking,” Booth told Soccer Laduma.

Despite his concerns about the process, Booth said SAFA had made the best available choice in replacing Broos, who he believes left a strong foundation for the next coach.

“But the choice of coach is a very good one, I feel. When you look at the top-rated South African coaches who could take over from Broos, who has laid a very healthy foundation for whoever takes over, they couldn’t have picked a better person.”

Mosimane has managed in North Africa and the Middle East during his career, and Booth believes that experience could benefit Bafana Bafana, particularly when the team travels for matches and when the coach assesses players based overseas.

“I think he’s matured immensely in regard to his travels in North Africa and the Middle East, and that will actually bode well for Bafana on our travels, his connections. I certainly hope that SAFA has offered him resources to travel to Europe and the MLS and the Middle East to scout and keep in touch with players that are based there.”

Booth also suggested that Broos did not make enough use of opportunities to watch South African players playing abroad. He said the new coach should be expected to maintain regular contact with the country’s growing football diaspora.

“I think that’s something that Broos didn’t do. It was almost like he came three weeks before the Bafana game to South Africa and watched PSL games. When he went back home, he didn’t strike me as somebody that travelled within Europe to look at South African players,” continued Booth.

“From what I hear from agents, he didn’t do that. I think that’s got to be done because we have a very big diaspora now, particularly across Europe, and some excellent young players who we have to keep tabs on. But certainly we have the correct man for the job to take us forward and to keep the momentum going.”

Mosimane is one of South Africa’s most decorated coaches, and Booth believes his reputation will command the respect of the national-team players and staff.

“I think it’s an excellent choice. He’s one of the most decorated coaches that we have. From a respect point of view, the players will give it to him and his staff, which is half the job done.”

Mosimane previously managed the national team, but Booth felt that spell came at an unfortunate moment, with several key members of the 2010 team either declining or reaching the end of their careers.

He now believes the timing is more favourable, with a new generation of promising players emerging.

“I think his first stint for the national team was a little bit of a false start and not very good timing because the core of that 2010 team fell by the wayside or had reached their peak already. But I think now is the right time. We’ve seen some great young players come to the fore. This is definitely the right choice,” he added.