South Africa Football Association (SAFA) suspended head coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba less than 24 hours after guiding the team to a home 2-1 victory against Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo and Ajax Amsterdam’s Thulani Serero helped South Africa pick up three points in Limpopo on Saturday, with the former Sunderland striker Dame Ndoye replying for the visitors.
SAFA released a statement barring Mashaba from the bench when Bafana Bafana takes on Mozambique on Tuesday in an international friendly match.
Bafana Bafana Head Coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba will not join the team on their trip to Mozambique as the Association has deemed it necessary to employ disciplinary measures after a regrettable incident at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 12 November 2016.
Assistant Coach Owen da Gama will take charge of the team in the above-mentioned international friendly match against Mozambique on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 in Maputo.
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.
Coach Mashaba has however asked that we convey to the NEC‚ and the president of the Association‚ in particular‚ his sincerest apologies if he has offended anyone and he unreservedly asked for forgiveness for Saturday actions.
Mashaba, 66, was sacked as South Africa coach on the eve of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations and is in his second spell in the post. He was heavily criticized after failing to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Meanwhile, Owen Da Gama who is the assistant coach, has been asked to take charge of the side in the absence of Mashaba.
After two rounds, Burkina Faso tops group D. The next World Cup qualifiers will only take place in September 2017, as Bafana travel to Cape Verde, while Senegal host Burkina Faso.
The winner of the group qualifies for 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia
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(Via: NewsGhana)
