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Cape Town - Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Quinton Fortune says he wants nothing more than to see the South Africa senior men’s national team back on top.
Fortune has been requested by head coach Stuart Baxter to come and assist in the national team set-up as one of the assistant coaches, although he is still to put pen to paper.
“Stuart spoke to me a couple of weeks ago and at first I was taken aback, so it was with a lot of excitement when he told me and I just couldn’t wait to get going because it is something I have been dreaming about for years as I know the potential we have in this country. I have said for years that when we do things the right way we can achieve amazing things,” said Fortune as quoted by the official SAFA website.
“This is my first day so I need to find my baby steps and see how it goes but I am excited. My aim is to help make this national team successful - that’s the ultimate for me, I just want to see Bafana Bafana being a great success.”
The left footed player has been in the United Kingdom for most of his playing career where he featured for, among others, Manchester United.
“It’s been amazing, I am still based in Manchester, United Kingdom and right now I am involved with Bafana Bafana, which is a great honour and a privilege. I still need to sit down with the Association (SAFA) and see where this goes, but at the moment I am excited to be part of the team. I want to help as much as I can, wherever I can. I am still a young coach, trying to learn the game,” added Fortune.
He has already acquired his UEFA A Licence and is now working towards the UEFA PRO Licence - the highest coaching certification available. He was assistant coach of the Cardiff City Under-21 team, and more recently was in involved with the Manchester United Under-21 team.
He says after his playing career ended in 2012 he decided to turn to coaching.
“The transition from player to coach is weird, and now that I have seen the players it is so surreal. I am so passionate about wanting to help but it’s still sinking in. A few years ago I was in their position too, I was a player but the most important thing is that I give whatever I have learned, all the experience that I can bring and help the players improve, making sure we have a national team that qualifies for the AFCON and the World Cup,” concluded Fortune.
Fortune will no longer travel to Zambia and will remain behind and help coach Stuart Baxter monitor players during the weekend games.
South Africa's CHAN team meets Zambia on Saturday, August 19 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).
