Or maybe, as is often said, they do not want facts to stand in the way of a perceived “good” story or column. But then, they inadvertently expose themselves for what they really are - people who are just out to destroy while pretending to support the incumbent.

Just over a week ago, I was interviewed on what I thought about the appointment of Pitso Mosimane as head coach of the South African senior national team, Bafana Bafana.

My take on that, which is still the same and will remain so, was that the position should have been thrown wide open so as to allow those who believe they were up to it to apply for the vacancy.

When I said that, I did so advisedly as we all knew that Mosimane was going to get it. I had said so myself before also including league championship winning coach, Supersport United’s Gavin Hunt.

The reason I called for others to apply was just simple clean governance and transparency. The so-called “fact” that I had not applied for the Bafana Bafana coaching job is best described as being economic with the truth.

The true facts are that together with Gordon Igesund, I applied for the job that hadalready been given to Carlos Alberto Parreira by the South African FootballAssociation (Safa). That should be in the public domain.

Talk of selective memory!

Classic.

It should also be noted that on the occasions that I had been head coach of the national team was on a caretaker basis. I stand corrected but I still have to hear of anybody applying for a caretaker of anything job. I have played my part for Bafana Bafana and the country and want to believe that on all occasions I have been able to deliver. I want to put it on record that I do not want to coach the national team - as they say I have been there, done that and bought the T-shirt.

The only explanation that can come out of this uncalled for attack on me and my person is that people are trying to look for scoops from Mosimane. They want to be seen as protecting him and once he “fails” them they will be the first to hammer him.

This smacks of a plot hatched by a group of three or four who sat down and agreed that I should be “put in my place”. Journalists who, like Mosimane said to them at a press conference on Tuesday, do not check their facts or do research before they commit to print are doing the game a great dis-service while they prance about misleading the nation. I support Mosimane fully on this.

Who is a hypocrite here? Time will tell and I hope people remember then. Congratulations to Mosimane and I must add that what I said was to make things much more easier and safer for him. That is before he is reminded that the job was given to himon a platter and that he did not deserve it as much more deserving candidates were not given the opportunity to apply. QED!

Once again let me remind such hacks that I applied for the job which was already known to have been given to Parreira and that was it. It was described as transparent and we all know what happened during his reign. South African sports journalists should please do the right thing before going to print half truths for the benefit of the game’s followers.

Ephraim Matsilele “Jomo” Sono Chairman and head coach Jomo Cosmos and member of the Safa Technical Committee.

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