South Africa Football Association has agreed with Supersport United on release of Coach Staurt William Baxter to Bafana Bafana at the end of the current Premier Soccer League season.
The 63-year-old Scotland-born gaffer will be officially unveiled for his second coaching stint at the SA’s senior men’s national team when SAFA boss Danny Jordaan returns from FIFA/CAF commitments.
In the meantime, the former Finland and Kaizer Chiefs manager will continue to dispense his duties as Supersport United’s manager in the remaining four league matches and as well as in the Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederations Cup.
However, he will be given days off towards the end of May to prepare Bafana for a crucial AFCON 2019 qualifier away to the Super Eagles of Nigeria on the weekend of 9-10 June.
Baxter, a midfielder with Preston North End, South Melbourne FC among others in his hey days, succeeds Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba who was dismissed in November last year for misconduct.
This will be his second stint with the 1996 African champions, whom he managed between 2004 and 2005 before leaving – having failed to qualify them to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Supersport United Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mathews wished Baxter well in his new adventure.
“He has done a great job in getting us to the competitive level we expect as a club, however we also understand that Staurt would like to have a final go at competing at a FIFA World Cup and that would be a fantastic achievement for the country as a whole.”
SAFA expressed relief the chapter is finally closed after a period of immense pressure from fans, who wanted Shakes’ replacement known.
“We are pleased to have finally reached agreement with Supersport on the release of Coach Baxter.
SAFA believes that the coach has the necessary skills to navigate the tough qualification path for the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.”
