The South African Football Association has officially unveiled SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter as the new Bafana Bafana mentor in a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The Scotsman made his first public appearance as Bafana coach, after Safa last week confirmed that it has reappointed the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor as the man to lead the national team.

Baxter’s first task of order will be ensuring that the national team are ready for their upcoming Africa Cup Of Nations opening qualifier against Nigeria on the weekend of June 9 to 11.

Upon addressing the media, the 63-year-old mentor highlighted his excitement at being reappointed to the national team set-up, in addition to revealing his first port of call.

“There’s a feeling of deja vu. When I first came here, I knew little about life in SA,” he told reporters.

“When I first came here there was a feeling of negativity. When I came to Kaizer Chiefs there was also that negativity.

“My first thing is to unite the whole footballing fraternity. Of course in the short term, I want to win games.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. You have to be more South African than me to be proud of leading this national team,” he added.

Baxter also alluded to reports that he would rope in his own technical team.

“There might be many changes (technical team). The recommendations I will make need to be after I have seen the set-up.”

“I thought long and hard about coming back. When I spoke to Danny, I realised the work has started already and I wanted to be part of it.

“I believe the nation has good enough players to compete, and I believe in my abilities as a coach.

“I want football under my tenure to reflect what’s happening in South Africa,” he concluded.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za