As the reality of South Africa’s failure to qualify for the 2014 World Cup sinks in, Gordon Igesund has pointed fingers at Fifa for delaying their announcement to dock Ethiopia points.
The national coach feels Bafana Bafana might have finished top of Group A if they knew of the decision prior to travelling to Addis Ababa where they lost 2-1.
Ethiopia had three points slashed for fielding an ineligible player, Minyahile Teshome Beyene, in a previous qualifier against Botswana.
“When I think about how we got knocked out of the World Cup qualifiers, there is one thing that hit me that hasn’t been said before. And this hit me because it was unfair play,” Igesund says.
“When we went to play Ethiopia it was two weeks after the fact of Ethiopia playing CAR. So CAF and Fifa knew that they [Ethiopia] had played an ineligible player and they were going to be deducted three points as per the rules and regulations. Of course, we didn’t know because we only worry about who we are playing.
“When we went to play Ethiopia we took a very offensive team and we were in a situation where we knew that they are four points [in effect two points] ahead of us and we have to win this game.
“Our minds and technical approach was that we attack and either win it or lose it. There was never ever going to be a draw for us. And because they were four points ahead of us we had to win the game but unfortunately we didn’t.
“But if we had known before we played them it would have been different. They should have been docked points immediately before we played them, for the sake of fair play for us going into that game knowing what we needed.
“I can tell you right now that if I knew I needed a draw then we would have gotten a draw. We would gone there and played five at the back, four in the middle and one upfront and counter-attacked them while making sure they got no chance.
“However, we were very open and allowed them to get two goals. If we knew this was the case we would have done the way it is done in a championship where you know you will get points here and there and you plan. But going to Ethiopia we just needed a win because they were already four points ahead and we had no other option.
“But if they were a point ahead of us, then we would have gone there and drawn and would have won this group. That is a bit harsh.
Igesund adds that plenty of work lies ahead despite their exit from Brazil 2014 contention.
“At the end of the day there is a still lot to look forward to in my opinion,” he says.
“We have to plan now starting with the Chan tournament, 2015 Afcon and the 2018 World Cup which is something that we will qualify for because this team should be qualifying for things.
“My mandate was very, very difficult in that we had to reach the semi-finals of the Afcon within such a short period of time but we nearly achieved it after being knocked out on penalties.
“Then with regards to qualifying for the World Cup, there was no guarantees we were going to win all four. We won three out four. It was nine points out of 12.
“So if it was my fault that we didn’t qualify, then my mandate was to qualify and we didn’t, so decisions must be made about what must now happen.
“I have told very clearly that I have a contract till 2014 and I am still working for the country and making sure that by 2015 we have a team that can compete and qualify for the Afcon,” he concludes.
Article by: Lovemore Moyo
