SAFA Suspends Bafana Boss Mashaba
Bafana Bafana manager Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has been suspended by South Africa in a surprising move.
A brief statement from the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Sunday said: ‘Mashaba will not join the team on their trip to Mozambique.’
The announcement went on to say: ‘The Association has deemed it necessary to employ disciplinary measures after a regrettable incident at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 12 November 2016. ‘
South Africa travel to play Mozambique for an away friendly on Tuesday but Mashaba is set to be punished following the team’s 2-1 victory over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Assistant coach Owen da Gama will now take charge of the team against Mozambique in Maputo. The statement added: ‘As is our custom in matters such as these, the association will not be making any further comments on this matter out of respect for the dignity of the head coach and the association and the legally privileged nature of such proceedings.’
Mashaba had been under pressure before the Russia 2018 qualifier in Polokwane on Saturday. He took almost an hour after the crunch encounter before speaking at the customary post-match press conference, which usually takes place just minutes after the final whistle. When he eventually spoke to reporters, the 66-year-old admitted that the narrow 2-1 win had saved his job. ‘It’s a second lease of life, I was dead already,’ he said after the controversial victory moved his team to four points from their opening two games played in Group D. A soft penalty converted by Thulani Hlatshwayo handed South Africa the lead after 43 minutes, which they doubled through Thulani Serero just two minutes later as the Senegalese continued to argue with Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey. The visitors’ Cheikh N’Doye pulled one back in the 76th minute to set up a nervy finale but Bafana Bafana held firm for all three points.
Source: Mail Sport
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