Santana leaves South Africa post

Bafana Bafana boss and SAFA agree to go separate ways

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 24th November 2009  

Santana leaves South Africa post

Santana: Leaves by mutual consent

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The South African Football Association and senior coach Joel Santana have both agreed to go their separate ways.

Santana succeeded fellow Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira in April 2008 to take over the reins of the Bafana Bafana national team.

The 60-year-old led South Africa to a respectable fourth place finish at the Confederations Cup in the summer but since then the team's form has slipped alarmingly.

South Africa have lost five of their last six games since the third/fourth play-off defeat to Spain in the Confederations Cup, with their only win coming against lowly Madagascar - a team ranked 154th in the world.

The South Africans are determined to field a strong side in the World Cup, a tournament which they will host.

The managerial situation will not help preparations for the summer but SAFA chiefs will determine who will take over on Friday, with Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane taking over in caretaker roles for the time being.