Cloud over Igesund

Gordon Igesund wants to usher in a new era for Bafana Bafana, starting with tonight's friendly match against Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium.

But following his failure to deliver on two of his mandates as coach - a top-four finish at this year's Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2014 World Cup - since he's been in charge, the coach is uncertain whether he will see his plan through.

Igesund was sure he would keep his job after Bafana's 4-1 victory over Botswana, telling reporters in Durban that the national team was "unlucky" not to qualify for Brazil despite the win. However, more than 24 hours later, the coach admitted his plans for continuity could be affected by the SA Football Association elections on September 28.

Safa president Kirsten Nematandani has recommended that Igesund keep his job. However, Nematandani's opinion could count for very little when he vacates his position in two weeks.

"There's going to be an election and who knows what could happen. There could be a whole new turnaround, not only in administration but it could also be in the coaching department as well," Igesund said yesterday.

"What I would like, and maybe some agree and others don't, is to sit down with whoever and start on a clean slate and prepare us for the next Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2018 World Cup. It's tough when you have to do your job when there's so much going on."

Igesund was handed a two-year contract in July last year, meaning if the new Safa leadership decided to send him packing, the coach would have helped prepare Bafana for the next continental tournament in 2015 but not take them to Morocco.

"Should I now get an extension to my contract until 2015 to see how we do? It's tough because now that we have not qualified we can throw caution to the wind and give a 19-year-old a chance to play. A win is not important now, but grooming future champions is.

"But decisions have to be made. I am happy with what we have achieved over the past year and I know a lot of good work will be done between now and later in 2014, but what worries me is what is going to happen after that. I'd like to carry on for the sake of continuity," Igesund said.

The coach believes tonight's line-up, made up of locally based players, will give South Africa a glimpse of the new generation he would like to introduce. Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa has also opted to leave out his overseas contingent for tonight's game.