Safa’s new TD apologises to Vilakazi for ‘uninformed comment’

The new Safa technical director, Walter Steenbok has been left with an egg on his face after making an uniformed comment about Golden Arrows coaches Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Mabhuti Khenyeza. 

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Steenbok has been receiving rave reviews after his serial radio interviews where he charmed local football supporters with his plans.

In one of the radio interviews, Steenbok said part of his plans is to have minimum coaching qualifications set for the Premier Soccer League. 

He then made an example of a few local coaches who are coaching elite teams without valid coaching badges. 

Vilakazi has meanwhile revealed that Steenbok has sent him an SMS to apologise for the misinformation.

“I was also victimised,” said Vilakazi with a little laughter when asked about the TD’s gaffe on Saturday night. 

Vilakazi was speaking to the media after the 5-2 loss to Stellenbosch in a DStv Premiership match. 

“I think it is a good initiative that the technical director was talking about. It’s just a pity that he was not fully informed. 

“But he’s new in the office, I forgive him because he was supposed to check the database before mentioning our names so unfortunately.

“We are qualified but he apologised. He sent an SMS to me and apologised for his statement,” added Vilakazi.

The young Arrows mentor said the matter is complicated because as far as he knows, the PSL already demands qualifications from all coaches.

Vilakazi suggests questioning Steenbok’s own qualifications

“But I’m not too sure as to what is happening because what I know is that every time at the beginning of the season, we are asked to submit our certificates to the PSL… 

“Everyone. So I wasn’t sure as to if he does have that information or not.

“But as I’ve said that the guy is new in the office, but maybe we also need to question his qualifications as well for the position, but it’s fine.”

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Steenbok’s statements are said to have added fuel to the tension between Safa and the PSL who declined an invite to a Safa congress recently. 

The PSL has since called for new sports minister Zizi Kodwa to intervene and mediate on some issues between the two bodies.