Match-fixing scandal forces Bafana changes

20 December 2012 - 02:06 By MAZOLA MOLEFE
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IN THE wake of Bafana's match-fixing scandal, the national side has had to replace Barney Kujane as team manager with immediate effect.

His long-time understudy, Levy Ramajoe, takes over ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

Kujane is one of five Safa administrators suspended by the organisation after the local game was plunged into the worst crisis in its history this week.

Bafana games were at the centre of a match-fixing scandal that Fifa has found to have taken place before the 2010 World Cup.

The other four top figures to be suspended are Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, head of referees Adeel Carelse, head of national teams Lindile Kika and new CEO Dennis Mumble.

Kujane was team manager at the time, but with his suspension indefinite, Ramajoe will now take over to avoid disruptions for the continental tournament.

Safa spokesman Dominic Chimhavi said Ramajoe, the under-23 team manager, can handle the job.

"The coach is happy, he likes him and we know Levy has been learning the trade from working with the under-23s. We have appointed him to be the team manger for the Africa Cup of Nations," said Chimhavi.

Ramajoe will start his job when Bafana travel to Durban to face Malawi on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the national team dropped three places to 87th in the Fifa rankings released yesterday.

With 29 days to go before the Nations Cup, their ranking in Africa is also on a downward spiral.

Coach Gordon Igesund's men are now considered the 23rd-best team on the continent.

Ivory Coast remain in the No1 position.

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