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'He will have to go' S. Africa coach Moloto likely to lose job after loss
Posted: Friday February 11, 2000 02:31 PM
LAGOS (Reuters) -- South Africa coach Trott Moloto is almost certain to be out of a job when his contract expires at the end of the African Nations Cup, officials said on Friday. Moloto, coach for almost two years, has come under heavy criticism for his 3-5-2 tactics during the 2-0 defeat by Nigeria in the Nations Cup semifinal in Lagos on Thursday. South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant said a decision would be taken next week after South Africa plays its third place playoff match against Tunisia on Saturday. "But we are not happy with the way the team played and with the tactics employed," he said. Oliphant said his association would look for a leading international coach to take charge of the side, whose next task is the World Cup qualifying campaign, starting in 2002. Other officials, part of a large South African contingent in Lagos, described Moloto as "arrogant" and "stupid" for playing just three defenders against the Nigerians. "He will have to go," one said. Thursday's match was only the fourth defeat for Moloto in 21 matches in charge since October 1998 but he has had a difficult relationship with officials and a vociferous domestic media since his appointment. Moloto refused to allow his players to give interviews at the Nations Cup, save for occasional pre-arranged "media days," and had two security guards travel with the team to keep press away from the squad. A television crew from Brazil was assaulted by a South African policeman travelling with the team after it tried to interview defender Mark Fish at the end of a training session in Ghana last week.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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