Shakes rattles and rolls through media conference

spin on an impressive victory against a strong, 38th-ranked Senegal at Orlando Stadium, dwelling on the negative and continuing to be defensive in the face of criticism.

An emotional Mashaba lashed out at criticism of an embarrassing 3-1 away defeat against Mauritania by an illprepared Bafana on Saturday that has left South Africa with a very slim hope of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

He said it had been difficult lifting his players’ spirits.

“And you know the reason,” he said. “It’s not about losing a game, but what is being said after losing.

“For the first time in my life I listened to all the radio stations, [read all] newspapers, television – not a single one was positive.”

Mashaba’s complaint was that criticism had been too personal.

However, the coach has still to accept responsibility for what could be considered gross negligence, not knowing Bafana would meet Mauritania on an artificial surface in Nouakchott. He also has admitted to scant scouting of his opposition in the past.

The coach singled out Robert Marawa’s radio show, where he felt he had been asked loaded questions.

However, the coach was advised by his Safa media handlers not to go on the show but had stubbornly gone anyway.

“My family said: ‘But why do you go and degrade yourself?’,” Mashaba said.

“Because most of the questions were too personal.

“I’m a very friendly person when you deal with me in a friendly way.

“But you’ve got to show respect when you talk to me. Don’t misuse or abuse the platform you have.

“Say now, you ask me: ‘Do I owe the nation an apology?’

“Do I say yes? To me, that looks like I’m buying the nation not to hang me.”

Mashaba appears to have largely abandoned the youth policy that brought an energy to his team and won him support and praise qualifying for this year’s Afcon in Equatorial Guinea unbeaten, dumping defending champions Nigeria out of the qualifiers in the process.

The coach was unable to properly explain how Vision 2022 was progressing.

“I wouldn’t answer that one. It would be like giving our plan away,” he said.

Bizarrely, and inexcusably, Mashaba’s son, Jabu, found his way into the media conference and was somehow allowed to ask a three-part question that included questioning the national pride of the journalists in the room.

It was only a greater indication of the state of farce that has begun to follow Mashaba snr around.

Mashaba said he would rise like Jesus from the dead against Senegal, an unrealistic prediction given that the encounter was a friendly that counted for nothing in terms of qualifying for a major tournament.

Instead, by his performance in the media conference, he showed an intent to continue stubbornly and recklessly nailing himself to the cross.