Malibongwe Maketa says he still hopes to coach at the highest level in a permanent capacity after missing out on the Proteas job.
Maketa was the Proteas’ interim head coach on their disastrous Test tour of Australia in December and January. South Africa lost in Brisbane and Melbourne, and only rain in Sydney prevented them from suffering a 3-0 series whitewash.
The 42-year-old admitted to News24 Sport that the tour had hurt his chances of coaching the team on a permanent basis. CSA ended up appointing Shukri Conrad as Proteas Test coach and Rob Walter as limited-overs coach.
“When you win, everything is hunky dory and everyone is loving each other, and you usually get those opportunities,” he said.
“When you don’t win, you end up where I am now, but that doesn’t say if we won in Australia, I was guaranteed the job. But it would have gone a long way in helping to get the job.
“I can’t say it cost me, but, in the same breath, I can say it cost me because I don’t have a series-winning point of reference that could have seen me being entrusted with the job.
“The opportunities were there, and we didn’t take them with both hands, and I include myself in that conversation, but those are the consequences of international sport.”
READ: Elgar upset about captaincy axing
Maketa, who was South Africa A coach and National Academy Lead when appointed interim head coach of the Proteas, will remain within CSA’s coaching structures and work under director of cricket Enoch Nkwe.
“I’ve had enough time to assess and get over the disappointment, but the game of cricket moves on, just like life,” he said.
“For me, it’s about reassessing and setting new goals because it remains a big goal of mine to coach at the highest level.
“It’s about going back to the drawing board and getting better as a coach. The future may have some grey areas now, but I enjoy working in the structures and contributing to the betterment of the players and CSA.
“We’ll continue to have chats with Enoch to see where I can make the most impact and keep growing as a coach.”
