Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu has had his say on the appointment of new coach Molefi Ntseki, while sharing what it's been like under his leadership so far.
Ntseki was last Saturday appointed permanent head coach of Bafana following the resignation of Stuart Baxter last month, after which he was initially serving as interim coach.
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The former junior national team mentor has since assembled his first squad as they prepare to face Madagascar this weekend, due to the withdrawal of Zambia on Tuesday.
Zungu, who has become a key figure in the Bafana setup in recent years, has revealed why he feels Ntseki could be the right man to take the team forward.
"Since I got here [on Tuesday], he's been good – trying to do his own thing and it's working out because he knows us as players, he's been in the setup for a long time," said Zungu.
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"So far, so good; we understand what he wants as a coach, in terms of his tactics, and he also understands our mentality. So, the camp has been good, it's healthy and everyone is happy.
"Hopefully we'll continue like this, and we'll try our best to win the upcoming game on Saturday, because it's preparation for [the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against] Sudan and Ghana in November."
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Asked whether the local vs foreigner factor also plays a part, the former Mamelodi Sundowns star admitted the difficulties that come with appointing someone without a clear understanding of the players.
"Of course. It's always difficult if a completely new coach comes in – like, maybe a foreign coach. Though, with Stuart Baxter – he also understood us, so it was quite easy," he added.
"The coach now also understands us as players, what we want and he plays us in our comfortable positions on the field, and that's why it's a happy camp and it's working out well so far."
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