JOHANNESBURG - Speculation was rife yesterday about just how much money Pitso would pocket, but he had two years left on his contract at the time of his sacking on Monday evening. The national team coach was earning between R800 000 and R1 million  a month.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar yesterday said the team must move on from the weekend’s developments as he rallied his charges for their remaining Group A 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches.

SA play Botswana on Saturday in Gaborone, having stuttered at the start campaign when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in Phokeng on Sunday.

It was Bafana’s seventh successive game without a victory and the final nail in the coffin for Mosimane.

“The players are down after losing the coach, but we have to move on,” said Pienaar.
“I have been playing for over 10 years and  seen coaches come and go. “He (Mosimane) spoke to the team last night (Monday) and wished us well, but that is football. We  wish him well for the future.”

Steve Komphela takes over on an interim basis while Moroka Swallows’ Gordon Igesund remains favourite for the full-time position after the home friendly against Gabon next Friday.
Pienaar said the team would support Komphela, and turn over a new leaf after their latest disappointment.

The 2010 World Cup hosts have to finish top of their group to progress to the next stage of qualifying for Brazil in two years’ time.

“A new coach is here and we will support him 100%,” Pienaar said.

“We are disappointed with the game against Ethiopia, but the spirit is still high. But we also didn’t lose, and we played well in the second half. This is where I hope we’ll take that to the game against Botswana.”

Pienaar said the team would try and regain some confidence against their neighbours, who were also on the back foot having lost their opening game 2-0 to Central African Republic on the weekend.

The Zebras, however, were still a formidable outfit, having qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, which SA failed to do.