There were a number of reasons for this; not least because the psyche of South African footballers mean they respond well to those granted 'legend status' in the game.

But, much more than that, Baxter wanted to involve ex-players who have been involved in African Cup of Nations and World Cup campaigns to add their experience, as well as provide extra eyes and ears on the ground to offer opinions on players he does not see every week.

It is a solid, commendable strategy, but such individuals are not exactly plentiful and many are already in work. For instance, Benni McCarthy would have been a strong option before he took up his head coach post with Cape Town City.

And so, Baxter has made tentative moves in another direction to bring in a player with a similar profile to McCarthy who is looking to follow the same path.

Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid midfielder Quinton Fortune has been parachuted into the current national team camp that is preparing for an African Nations Championship qualifier in Zambia this weekend - but really his presence is needed for the World Cup qualifier double-header against Cape Verde coming up early next month.

Fortune's exact role has yet to be defined, but for someone who has spent the last 10 years telling anybody who will listen that former Bafana players have a role to play in the future of the national team, it is an exciting opportunity.

"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," a breathless Fortune was quoted by the South African Football Association.

"I have said for years that when we do things the right way we can achieve amazing things. 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." Fortune has no real coaching experience elsewhere, but hopes to be able to offer practical advice in the support of Baxter. "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."

Fortune is still based in Manchester, where he spent seven seasons as a United player and still regularly turns out for their Legends side.

But having a trusted assistant coach who lives outside of the country - and especially in Europe - is exactly what Baxter is after as he knows he will have neither the time nor the funding from SAFA to make regular trips to Europe to check on players.

Fortune can be that man of the ground, and it will give him a slow introduction into the world of international coaching, which is probably what he needs.

"The transition from player to coach is weird, and now that I have seen the players it is so surreal," Fortune said. "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 Nations Cup and the World Cup."