The appointment of Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba as the Bafana Bafana coach was not accepted by everybody and today he tackled his critics head on. Addressing journalists in the Bafana’s arrival presser at the Milpark Hotel in Johannesburg this afternoon, Mashaba says he will welcome criticism but only when it’s fair and constructive. Bafana started their preparations today for the 2015 African Nations qualifier against Sudan in Khartoum on Friday. Velile Mbuli has compiled this report…
Just a day after qualifying Amajita for the African Youth Championships in Senegal by beating Cameroon 3-2 on aggregate yesterday, newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba has spoken out on what he thinks was unfair criticism about his appointment. One weekly newspaper wrote that…I quote “Mashaba won the role on pure availability more than anything else”. And the man who returns for his second spell as Bafana coach responded today…
Mashaba’s record at junior level speaks for itself, qualified the first u20 team to the AYC tournament in Morocco in 1997 and lost in the final to the hosts and went to the FIFA u20 World Cup in Malaysia the same year. He went up with that group of players to the Sydney Olympics in 2000. His record with Bafana stands at 19 matches, 12 wins, five draws and two losses, one of the best records for a Bafana coach. And he says claims that he was the cheapest choice are insulting to him…
The team held it’s first training session this morning at the Marks Park ground, and most of the players have arrived in camp and two players were confirmed to be out through injuries, Bidvest Wits centre-back Buhle Mkhwanazi and Supersport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Mashaba says qualifying for Morocco is a priority to him…
But it’s the issue of captaincy that will also dominate the headlines around Bafana this week as Mashaba says they are yet to make a decision as he tables his requirements of a good captain…
Based on these points, one can be forgiven for thinking that Itumeleng Khune’s reign as Bafana skipper is coming to an end. And one potential candidate is Belgian based defender Anele Ngcongca and asked if he’s ready to assume this role, he says he would welcome the challenge…
On the 10th of this month Bafana will be hosting Nigeria in the second AFCON qualifier in Cape Town, South Africa has never beaten the Super Eagles in a competitive match. And Mashaba says this time something has got to give…
Bafana will have two more training sessions tomorrow before they depart for Sudan on Wednesday morning. Journalist: Velile Mbuli