From the Sidelines: Kanalelo is NFA’s choice

THE recent announcement that Ronnie Kanalelo will be the caretaker coach of the Brave Warriors for the match against Botswana in Gaborone this weekend raised eyebrows for several reasons.

The move was prompted by the unavailability of head coach Ben Bamfuchile, who has been ill for most of this month. Bamfuchile is expected to be back at work within the next 10 days, depending on the instructions of his doctor.The Namibia Football Association (NFA) as the mother body of football, whose president John Muinjo has the right to hire and fire coaches, thought that Kanalelo would be the best man for leading the team in the absence of Bamfuchile.Now, unhappiness is ranging in certain football quarters that Kanalelo does not deserve to be leading the team as caretaker coach, because they feel the other assistant, Brian Isaacs, is more capable.The argument is also that Kanalelo has in the past deserted his country when he was needed, and opted for South African citizenship to enable him to get a place in the Mamelodi Sundowns line-up.The other factor is that Kanalelo is inexperienced as a coach, compared to Brian Isaacs who has been in the trade for years.Others feel that Kanalelo has “an attitude problem” and is not worthy of leading a national side, while he also failed to successfully lead Black Africa after Bobby Samaria had left.The appointment of a coach being appointed as a caretaker coach is a national issue and people have the right to express their opinions, not feelings.My opinion is that since the NFA has the right to make changes to the coaching staff as they wish.If the NFA felt that Isaacs should be the man to be temporarily in charge, so be it.But in this case, they opted for Kanalelo and I am sure they consulted each other on the issue before making a final decision.But after taking that decision, the NFA should have explained their reasons for putting Kanalelo in charge.People will of course look at the credentials of a coach who takes charge of the team, as the failure or success of any team is largely determined by the person who is leading the players.Kanalelo is not the man who should be asked why he was appointed as caretaker coach.Sometimes football authorities don’t think that it is necessary to explain changes within the national set-up, but if that is not done, there will always remain questions and the NFA should know this by now.The only explanation is that Kanalelo is familiar with the players and has been involved with them for several matches now.Apart from that, I think it would be wise to just give the man who has been put in charge the necessary support in an effort to bring success to the team.With Isaacs on his side, there is no way that Kanalelo will take unilateral decisions when it comes to team selection or tactics.They are both responsible for the team and if the team’s performance does not meet the expectations of the nation, they should both take the flak.For now, Kanalelo is in charge and there is nothing that can be done to reverse the situation, as the Cosafa match is tomorrow.* I was disappointed by the NFA awards that took place in Windhoek last weekend.It is not for me to award the prizes, but I think Oshakati City was a deserving winner of the Team of the Season award for ending in second spot last season.The team has demonstrated that they can be among the top three clubs in the country and it was unfair to let them walk away empty handed.The usual lively atmosphere which has been seen over the years was lacking and it is no wonder that people left the venue immediately after the official proceedings.The speech by Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo was exceptional, Neville Basson as the master of ceremonies tried hard to liven up the sombre audience, but to no use.To sum it up, the general organisation of the awards was flat.Bamfuchile is expected to be back at work within the next 10 days, depending on the instructions of his doctor.The Namibia Football Association (NFA) as the mother body of football, whose president John Muinjo has the right to hire and fire coaches, thought that Kanalelo would be the best man for leading the team in the absence of Bamfuchile.Now, unhappiness is ranging in certain football quarters that Kanalelo does not deserve to be leading the team as caretaker coach, because they feel the other assistant, Brian Isaacs, is more capable.The argument is also that Kanalelo has in the past deserted his country when he was needed, and opted for South African citizenship to enable him to get a place in the Mamelodi Sundowns line-up.The other factor is that Kanalelo is inexperienced as a coach, compared to Brian Isaacs who has been in the trade for years.Others feel that Kanalelo has “an attitude problem” and is not worthy of leading a national side, while he also failed to successfully lead Black Africa after Bobby Samaria had left.The appointment of a coach being appointed as a caretaker coach is a national issue and people have the right to express their opinions, not feelings.My opinion is that since the NFA has the right to make changes to the coaching staff as they wish.If the NFA felt that Isaacs should be the man to be temporarily in charge, so be it.But in this case, they opted for Kanalelo and I am sure they consulted each other on the issue before making a final decision.But after taking that decision, the NFA should have explained their reasons for putting Kanalelo in charge.People will of course look at the credentials of a coach who takes charge of the team, as the failure or success of any team is largely determined by the person who is leading the players.Kanalelo is not the man who should be asked why he was appointed as caretaker coach.Sometimes football authorities don’t think that it is necessary to explain changes within the national set-up, but if that is not done, there will always remain questions and the NFA should know this by now.The only explanation is that Kanalelo is familiar with the players and has been involved with them for several matches now.Apart from that, I think it would be wise to just give the man who has been put in charge the necessary support in an effort to bring success to the team.With Isaacs on his side, there is no way that Kanalelo will take unilateral decisions when it comes to team selection or tactics.They are both responsible for the team and if the team’s performance does not meet the expectations of the nation, they should both take the flak.For now, Kanalelo is in charge and there is nothing that can be done to reverse the situation, as the Cosafa match is tomorrow.* I was disappointed by the NFA awards that took place in Windhoek last weekend.It is not for me to award the prizes, but I think Oshakati City was a deserving winner of the Team of the Season award for ending in second spot last season.The team has demonstrated that they can be among the top three clubs in the country and it was unfair to let them walk away empty handed.The usual lively atmosphere which has been seen over the years was lacking and it is no wonder that people left the venue immediately after the official proceedings.The speech by Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo was exceptional, Neville Basson as the master of ceremonies tried hard to liven up the sombre audience, but to no use.To sum it up, the general organisation of the awards was flat.