The South African Football Association have parted company with manager Joel Santana after a string of poor results. Santana, who took over from Carlos Alberto Parreira in April 2008 as Bafana coach, was fired after the national team lost eight of their last nine internationals. South Africa’s 1-0 loss to Iceland was the last straw for the SAFA chiefs, who felt that a change was needed if the team was to avoid embarrassment at the 2010 World Cup. South Africa have qualified for the World Cup as hosts.
Santana made some controversial decisions- his decision not to recall Benni McCarthy when Bafana were struggling to score sparked criticism far and wide. Santana also chose to give a cold shoulder to Recreativo Huelva’s Nasief Morris. Carlos Alberto Parreira, who left the job in 2008 because of family problems, is being tipped to return to the squad by local newspapers.
Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane will temporarily take charge of the squad till SAFA officially announce a successor to Santana.