Ghana’s history making national football team coach Milovan Rajevac has voiced his desire to stay on as the Black Stars manager despite receiving lucrative offers from a number of European club’s. It was rather obvious that after such a successful display from his youthful squad, the 56 year old Serbian international would attract offers from the games finest club’s and countries.
However, Rajevac has stated that he has no intentions to leave the West African nation just yet. The Black Stars were Africa’s heroes despite their painful quarter-final loss to Uruguay (although it felt a lot worse after the final whistle).
Going one better than in 2006, Ghana were somehow viewed a little bit weaker than Cameroon and Ivory Coast. However, such was their determination that helped them conquer tough opponents like Serbia and the USA.
In an interview with the GFA (Ghanaian Football Association) website, Rajevac said that his current contract expires this August and that he expects it to be renewed.
“I am still under contract with the Ghana Football Association,” he said. “Although I have received some offers, I want to continue my work here. I am happy here.
“I want to state that I haven’t mentioned anything about money and nobody has. Neither the GFA nor me have raised an issue about money.”
Meanwhile, in other coaching news, Bafana Bafana have picked Pitso Mosimane as Carlos Alberto Perriera’s successor.
South Africa was another surprise of the tournament. Getting good results against Mexico and France, Bafana Bafana narrowly missed out on slot in the second round.
Mosimane was Perriera’s assistant since 2006 and is expected to carry on in the same vein as the Brazilian.
A statement from South African Football Association President confirmed this.
“The search is over and the only outstanding issue is around his contract,” SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani said. “I wish we could make the announcement today but we still have to first hear from the CEO (Leslie Sedibe) if there is agreement around negotiations.”
Both Ghana and South Africa sent very youthful teams to the finals. This should definitely help them towards 2014 preparations. However, with competition from other nations, i doubt whether South Africa will make the cut.
You have to remember that South Africa featured in this tournament by virtue of being the hosts. They failed to make it to the African Cup of Nations which in my opinion would have better prepared them for the World Cup and with the likes of Senegal, Angola,Togo, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco keen on a 2014 appearance, the southerns will have to work extra harder.
Photo Credit: from sadat_warleader
