BAFANA BAFANA coach, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, is not happy with the way in which Pitso Mosimane’s request to rest Mamelodi Sundowns players for Tuesday’s friendly against Ghana, in Durban, KZN, came about.
Mashaba made it clear he wouldn’t be dictated to by another coach and challenged Mosimane to talk to him man-to-man.
This was after Mosimane said he hoped Sundowns players wouldn’t be featured in the friendly game as they have an important Caf Champions League final against Zamalek four days later.
The Brazilians have four players in the team – captain Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly, Tebogo Langerman and Sibusiso Vilakazi, but Vilakazi is not registered for the competition.
Two months ago, Mashaba ignored Mosimane’s pleas and played Downs’ players in a friendly against Egypt.
This week Mashaba hit back.
“Let me be blunt and open on this one.
“I don’t normally respond to public utterances as I don’t want to stoop that low,” said Mashaba.
“Pitso is a coach, he knows I’m a coach and there’s what we call coaching ethics.
“Ours is not to say let’s go sit over a cup of coffee.
“Give me a call and say ‘coach I have this kind of problem, how can we solve it now’, instead of telling me about Pirates and Parreira.
“I’m not Parreira, I’m Ephraim and I’m given a job to do.”
Mashaba said his door is open to all the coaches to discuss their players and said the technical team would sit down after yesterday’s game to decide if they would give the Sundowns trio a break or not.
Mashaba wished Sundowns well in their African adventure, saying it was good for the country.
Said Mashaba: “I always say that a nation without history shall never be able to determine its future.
“If they go on to win that cup, it’s not just Sundowns but Bafana will benefit. We want to say to Pitso and the club president Patrice Motsepe, we wish them the best of luck.
“We can only hope they go on and win it.”