Jomo: African coaches for African teams

Former Bafana Bafana boss Jomo Sono has highlighted the issue of foreign coaches in the African game, following the impending elimination of every team, bar Ghana, at the group stage. The World Cup’s stunning opening ceremony highlighted the importance of seeing this summer’s tournament as a celebration of African football but, on the pitch, the […]

Former Bafana Bafana boss Jomo Sono has highlighted the issue of foreign coaches in the African game, following the impending elimination of every team, bar Ghana, at the group stage.

The World Cup’s stunning opening ceremony highlighted the importance of seeing this summer’s tournament as a celebration of African football but, on the pitch, the performances from the six African sides have fallen notably short of expectations.

“It is a norm in Africa that local coaches are only good for the African Cup of Nations and Europeans are good for the World Cup, which is diabolical and doesn’t make sense to me,” Sono explained.

In fact, Algeria were the only team with an African coach in South Africa, and Sono has been alarmed at the way many teams have overlooked local talent in favour of overpriced foreigners.

Most notably, perhaps, was Cote d’Ivoire’s decision to appoint Sven-Goran Eriksson just five weeks before the competition.

The Swede’s arrival drew widespread criticism because of the lack of preparation time given to both him and several other big name bosses.

“If the coach is coming from Europe he needs to spend more time in the country and understand the culture of the people,” Sono continued. “Five weeks is too short for a World Cup. It doesn’t give you enough time.”

Fellow Swede Lars Lagerback also took up the reigns for Nigeria in February, but similarly failed to progress from Group B despite a host of talent at his disposal.

The hosts themselves employed experienced Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, and enjoyed fantastic home support from their fans, but were still unable navigate their way out of Group A, with Uruguay and Mexico claiming the top spots.

Cameroon came to the party with a well-respected pedigree in the game, but Frenchman Paul Le Guen, who opted to reside in his homeland while in the Indomitable Lions hot-seat, announced his resignation on Friday as his side went home without a single win.

Ghana have made it through their group, even without injured captain Michael Essien, and will now face a last 16 tie against the USA in Rustenburg.

Their Serbian boss Milovan Rajevac has enjoyed a rare two years at the helm and this continuity may well be rewarded on Saturday.

The rest of Africa will certainly be willing them on.