Former Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars coach Owen da Gama has joined a chorus of South African coaches who believe that a local should be next coach of the South African national team.
The former Moroka Swallows player believes South African football will reclaim its identity if local coaches are appointed through the youth levels all the way up to the senior level.
“A local coach is ideal for Bafana. If you look at other African countries that have appointed foreign coaches, you will notice that they are not consistent in terms of getting results,” Da Gama told KickOff.com.
“Do foreign coaches know more about our own players than locals? Are they familiar with our culture and the characteristics of South African football? I do not think so.
“Foreign coaches are not super coaches. Local coaches, on the other hand, have a better background of our football.”
Da Gama has also urged the South African Football Association to improve the standard of coaching in the country by exposing local coaches to different philosophies.
“What SAFA must aim at is to expose as many local coaches as possible to the modern trends of football,” he added.
“This will ensure that the knowledge they gain is used to the benefit of local football. We must see more coaches enrolling for courses in Germany, Italy and other countries.”
