BY: Saneliso Mlambo
In a strategic move, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed Molefi Ntseki as the interim head coach of Bafana Bafana for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Egypt. This decision comes in the wake of scheduling adjustments and a reshuffling of coaching responsibilities within the national team setup.
Born on August 18, 1969, in Botshabelo, South Africa, Ntseki has been a prominent figure in South African football. His coaching career encompasses various roles, notably serving as the head coach of the South African national team from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of consistency and development within the squad. Following his stint with the national team, Ntseki took on the role of Head of Technical and Youth Development Academy at Kaizer Chiefs in May 2021. He was later appointed as the head coach of Kaizer Chiefs in June 2023, a position he held until October 2023.
The CHAN qualifier against Egypt, initially slated for Friday, February 28, 2025, faced an unexpected delay due to visa complications encountered by the Egyptian team. The match has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, with kick-off at 17:00.
In light of this postponement and to prioritize upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, SAFA decided to adjust the coaching assignments. Helman Mkhalele, initially set to lead the CHAN squad, has been redirected to focus on the World Cup qualifying matches. Consequently, SAFA’s Technical Committee recommended Molefi Ntseki to step in as the interim coach for the CHAN qualifier. Raymond Mdaka, the South African U20 coach, will assist Ntseki in this endeavor.
Elaborating on the decision, Jack Maluleke, SAFA Technical Committee Chairman said: “After we got information that the South African senior national team coach requested that Helman Mkhalele must be recused from this team because we have the priority of Bafana Bafana playing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in a few weeks’ time, we agreed.”
Ntseki’s return to the national team setup brings a wealth of experience and familiarity, both with the players and the broader South African football landscape. His previous tenure as head coach and his involvement in youth development are expected to provide stability and strategic insight as Bafana Bafana prepares for the crucial CHAN qualifier.
The CHAN tournament offers a platform for locally-based players to showcase their talents on an international stage. With Ntseki at the helm, the team aims to capitalize on this opportunity, striving for a positive result against Egypt to advance in the competition.
As the match approaches, supporters and stakeholders alike will be keenly observing how Ntseki’s leadership influences the team’s performance, with hopes high for a successful campaign in the CHAN qualifiers.