It’s blow for Kjell got what it takes – Nomvethe Shakes, and a go for Safa

THE South African Football Association has accepted the court decision overturning former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s application to delay the naming of a new national team coach.

Safa chief executuve Dennis Mumble said the association is not in the business of making enemies and that they still consider Mashaba as one of their greatest Bafana coaches.

The Labour Court yesterday dismissed Mashaba’s application to prevent Safa from hiring a new head coach until the finalisation of his dismissal challenge at the Commission for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

“Well you [know] I don’t want to be emotional about the whole thing‚” Mumble said in response to the court’s decision.

“I think it’s a very difficult process for both the association as well as the coach.

“And we have to respect what the court said,” he added.

Mumble indicated that Safa are within days of appointing a new coach‚ having reduced the 61 applications they had received to a shortlist of five candidates.

The CEO was asked how Safa views Mashaba now.

“He’s still one of the great coaches that the SA Football Association has had. He’s had more than one stint with Bafana‚” said Mumble.

“I don’t think that we make enemies as this association. And I don’t think it’s our intention to make an enemy here.

“He still remains a valuable member of South African football‚ and that’s how we will treat him.”

Mashaba was fired in December when a disciplinary committee found him guilty of gross misconduct‚ insubordination and contravening Safa’s communications policy.

The hearing was conducted following the coach’s outburst‚ in full view of TV cameras‚ aimed at his Safa bosses ahead of his post-match interview after Bafana beat Senegal 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Polokwane in November. — TMG AFTER working with him at Djurgardens in Sweden 12 years ago, Siyabonga Nomvethe has come out in praise of new Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret.

The 39-year-old AmaZulu star striker is one of a handful of South Africans who have met the newly-appointed Pirates mentor before he was paraded at the club’s media conference at Rand Stadium on Monday.

“I know Jonevret very well. He is a very professional man.

“He communicates with players habitually.

“He is always committed to maintain a healthy working relationship with his players.

“I remember one day, he told me I should not forget to defend his because he believes his attacking players must also track back and help in defending. Pirates’ players must expect a very friendly, hard-working guy,’’ Nomvethe said yesterday.

He continued: “I trust that he will win titles. He could furthermore positively contribute to our football with his great deal of knowledge.

“People, especially the supporters should give him a chance because it is his first time coaching in Africa.

“His competence will assist him a lot because the pressure will definitely be there.

“Djurgardens are giants in Sweden with as rich a history as Pirates and they win titles, so the coach is familiar with working at bigger teams,’’ the former Djurgardens striker added.

Nomvethe joined the 54-yearold’s revolution at Djurgardens on loan from Italian club Empoli in 2005. However, the former Moroka Swallows attacker had a torrid stint there.

He only registered five appearances and scored a single goal.

In 2005, Jonevret won the Swedish premiership title, the Svenska Cup and scooped the manager of the year gong.