Tearful Mashaba promises Bafana will turn corner

AN EMOTIONAL Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba arrived back in South Africa yesterday and promised Bafana Bafana would no longer be a laughing stock with him at the helm of the team.

Mashaba – who celebrated his 64th birthday yesterday – was touring West Africa with the South Africa under-20 side when he was appointed Bafana coach.

He wiped away tears several times at OR Tambo International Airport as he came to terms with his elevation to the hot seat of South African football.

He urged the nation to rally behind Bafana and not to expect miracles as he rebuilt the ailing team that was once ranked 19th in the world and No 1 on the continent.

“I was so excited when I heard they [the South African Football Association] had appointed me as coach. There is so much work to be done but I’m happy the people are backing me. I want to thank Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan and the entire executive committee for their confidence in me.

“Reality has now sunk in and I feel the weight of expectations from the public because this is their team. I promise not to disappoint, but I cannot do it alone.”

Mashaba said he understood criticism was a burden coaches of Bafana had to carry, but he pleaded with soccer lovers not to exert too much pressure on him as he worked on improving the team.

“When you do criticise, let it be constructive, to help us build Bafana Bafana.”

The former Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates defender said he would consider including some of the members of the under-20 side he had coached in a future Bafana squad. “If you look at where we come from – in 1996 we had good players like the late Sizwe Motaung, David Nyathi, Shoes Moshoeu and many more. We need to work hard to get the team back on track.

“There are some of the youngsters in the Amajita team that will form part of Bafana Bafana.

“I’m disappointed I won’t be with these boys [Amajita] again but I will be available to assist whoever will be appointed new [under-20]coach.” Jordaan said Safa were confident Mashaba would build a solid Bafana Bafana team.

“You [Mashaba] have tremendous support in the country as we rebuild Bafana Bafana.”

He said members of the Safa executive committee would hold a meeting with Mashaba where plans for Bafana’s future would be discussed. The plans included selecting a technical team that would assist Mashaba as coach.