Birds back Igesund to soar

Moroka Swallows CEO Leon Prins is convinced new Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund can return pride to the national side and lead them to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Dube Birds bid farewell to Igesund following his appointment as the new national team coach, the 55-year-old's Midas touch having turned the Soweto club from relegation candidates in the 2010/11 season to Premier Soccer League runners-up last term. Swallows are no doubt sad to see the four-time PSL title winning coach depart, but Prins feels the club can take some solace in the fact Igesund is the most likely candidate to spark a golden era for Bafana. "We all know that (Igesund) is walking into a lion's den but nobody will give it a go more than Gordon," Prins told Business Day. "It is a tough job and a huge challenge for anybody. But I know that Gordon will tackle this challenge head-on." Igesund will not be alone in his endeavors, though, with the South African Football Association having appointed former SuperSport United assistant coach Thomas Madigage as his number-two. The pair are set for a baptism of fire as their first encounter in the national set-up will be against Brazil in September in what will represent a passing of the hosting rights for the World Cup, with South Africa having staged the event in 2010.