Ntseki Set To Become New SAFA Technical Director
Sportswire has learned that Molefi Ntseki is poised to be named the new South African Football Association (SAFA) Technical Director.
This key appointment comes as SAFA urgently seeks to fill the vacant position, which is crucial for accessing vital FIFA development funds.
SAFA had been actively searching for a Technical Director since Walter Steenbok’s departure. Steenbok left the association due to internal disagreements within its management.
Two months ago, SAFA advertised the Technical Director role, and Ntseki quickly emerged as a leading candidate. Despite also being considered for the SA Under-23 coaching role after David Notoane’s resignation last year, Ntseki has now secured the coveted TD position.
Ntseki is already familiar with SAFA’s internal workings, with his appointment reportedly recommended by SAFA NEC member Jack Maleluka, who heads the association’s Technical Committee.
Ntseki recently led the Bafana Bafana makeshift squad in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, securing notable victories against Egypt and Malawi. This move follows his previous stint as technical advisor for Marumo Gallants, which ended after coach Dan Malesela’s dismissal.
Ntseki possesses extensive experience within South African football. He famously guided the SA U17 team, Amajimbos, to the FIFA World Cup in Chile in 2015, although they finished at the bottom of their group after losing two of their three matches.
In August 2019, amidst SAFA’s search for a national team coach, Ntseki was appointed Bafana Bafana head coach, succeeding Stuart Baxter, who resigned after the team’s quarter-final exit to Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. Ntseki had served as Baxter’s assistant during that tournament.
However, his tenure as head coach was cut short when Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon, losing a decisive match 2-0 to Sudan in March 2021. He was replaced by current head coach Hugo Broos two months later.
Following his departure from SAFA, Ntseki took on the role of Head of Technical and Youth Development at Kaizer Chiefs. After Chiefs finished fifth in the 2022/23 season under coach Arthur Zwane, Ntseki was appointed head coach in June 2023.
His time as head coach at Chiefs was brief; in October of the same year, the club announced that Ntseki’s contract was “ended amicably by mutual consent given the club’s run of disappointing results, the parties agreed that this was the best course of action under the prevailing circumstances.”
The swiftness of Ntseki’s appointment highlights SAFA’s urgent need for a Technical Director. Without a TD and their signature, SAFA cannot access crucial assistance funds for development, including those for CAF License coaches, from FIFA. This pressing financial aspect underscores why SAFA is desperate to have the Technical Director position filled without further delay.
