Not the Shakes I know — Benni

interview with the public broadcaster. “It is sad to see him suspended. I know coach Shakes from my younger years. I came through the ranks under him,” said McCarthy, who witnessed Mashaba’s rage live in Polokwane.

“This is not the coach Shakes I know. I grew up playing for a very humble, nice guy who protects his players.

“What I saw on Saturday was a shadow of the man I know. He let personal feelings get the better of him.”

Asked how Safa must address the Mashaba matter McCarthy said: “That’s why I’m glad I’m not Danny Jordaan. I have a lot of sentimental attachment to coach Shakes.

“The suspension for me is just to sugar-coat the situation and let things calm down a little bit.”

Mashaba’s suspension meant he was barred from travelling ATTACHMENT: Benni McCarthy has fond memories of Shakes Mashaba with the team to Mozambique for an international friendly match on Monday. Bafana drew 1-1 with the Mambas at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto on Tuesday night. Assistant coach Owen da Gama took charge of the team and McCarthy says the players appeared to be affected by the absence of Mashaba.

“They didn’t look like they wanted to be there. It seemed like they could not wait for the final whistle,” said McCarthy.

It is a sentiment supported by comments made by Da Gama after the match.

“From a psychological perspective it was difficult. We tried to psyche them up and say to the ones who did not play against Senegal that this is an opportunity for you.

“I was happy that we turned things around in the second half,” Da Gama, who doubles up as coach of the under-23 national team, was quoted as saying by sister publication the Sowetan.

Da Gama cautioned that a change in coaching personnel will affect Bafana’s promising start to their quest to qualify for the Russia 2018 soccer spectacle.

“Continuity always favours whatever situation you are in. So we would hope for continuity and not change things a lot.

“If a new coach comes in, he could change everything and that could be more uncertain than continuity. We just have to wait and see what happens. We don’t know what lies in store for us [the technical team] as well.”

Bafana are tied on four points in group D with Burkina Faso. The Stallions, held by SA last month, are at the top on better goal difference.