Johannesburg - Shakes Mashaba’s desperate attempt to hold on to his Bafana Bafana coaching job begins on Thursday when he faces a disciplinary committee following charges levelled against him by the SA Football Association (Safa) for misconduct, insubordination and bringing the organisation into disrepute.
A judgment is not expected immediately though, with a Safa official telling The Star on Wednesday that the outcome of the hearing is likely to only be revealed on Monday.
Mashaba’s imminent dismissal comes on the back of a tirade in Polokwane three weeks ago just minutes after Bafana beat Senegal 2-1 in a crunch 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. The coach’s public finger-wagging at officials and alleged refusal to fulfil media commitments is among what is believed to be a long list of offences on the official charge sheet. Mashaba was suspended subsequent to his outburst, where he allegedly accused his Safa bosses of not backing him during a strenuous recent couple of months during his tenure. He learnt of his suspension as he was about to board a flight to Maputo, where Bafana were scheduled to face Mozambique in an international friendly three days after the win over Senegal in Group D of the World Cup qualifiers. He didn't travel with the squad.
Video footage of Mashaba refusing to conduct an interview with the SABC soon after the match has since emerged and those visuals had been captured in full view of top Safa officials, including president Danny Jordaan and chief executive Dennis Mumble. The tape will be used as evidence against him in the disciplinary hearing.
Mashaba’s future was expected to be decided last week, but the hearing was postponed to today because the coach had not had enough time to go through the charge sheet with his lawyers. It appears to be a forgone conclusion that he will be shown the door and a suitable replacement probably announced only much later. While his backroom staff, including assistant coaches Owen da Gama and Thabo Senong as well as goalkeeper trainer Lucky Shiburi, will not be subjected to a hearing, Mashaba’s dismissal is likely to also have a bearing on their futures because he hand-picked them when he was appointed national team coach in July 2014.
Safa officials have said they are confident of replacing Mashaba with an experienced coach who will have sufficient time to prepare the team for their next qualifier - an away match against Cape Verde in August next year as their road to the World Cup in Russia resumes.
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The Star