BAFANA Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was yesterday tempted to use a different phrase to describe his work with the national team so far, having made them a force in Group A of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mashaba again defaulted to “rebuilding” but admitted their campaign – with wins against Sudan and Congo-Brazzaville as well as a draw against Nigeria – was a surprise to him and his technical team.
Bafana, who went top of their group on Saturday after a 2-0 victory away to Congo, face the same side at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight, and another three points secure the trip to Morocco next year.
“Some people are lucky in that everything they touch turn into gold. We are a little bit surprised that this has turned into something else because we did not expect to get it right so quickly. Now we are the team to beat in this group,” said Mashaba.
“We are still guided by the Safa vision, and the first thing you do with such a project is that you tell everyone about their strong points and make them aware of their role and that they will determine their fate.
“The players knew there was no mandate, but no one wants to be associated with losing. We still need to stay focused because 2015 will be a springboard for us.”
The coach is mindful of the fact that all it would take for South Africa to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 2008 is a win against Claude le Roy’s Congo side. He said he had already warned his players about being sluggish and made it clear that he would not change the winning formula even in the remaining games should Bafana get the job done early.
“If you watched our game in Congo, you would have seen players being complacent towards the end. Unfortunately, complacency is a physiological thing and we are busy dealing with it. We have got to make them take responsibility,” explained Mashaba.
“People are also saying we should qualify early and try other players. No ways. We won’t try other players. Everyone must earn their place in the team. We want to keep the same approach because we want to keep the core of the team.”
Mashaba also added that goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa will continue to captain the Bafana side because there was still a shortage of leaders in the team.
Shakes stars real top dogs
Mashaba again defaulted to “rebuilding” but admitted their campaign – with wins against Sudan and Congo-Brazzaville as well as a draw against Nigeria – was a surprise to him and his technical team.
Bafana, who went top of their group on Saturday after a 2-0 victory away to Congo, face the same side at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight, and another three points secure the trip to Morocco next year.
“Some people are lucky in that everything they touch turn into gold. We are a little bit surprised that this has turned into something else because we did not expect to get it right so quickly. Now we are the team to beat in this group,” said Mashaba.
“We are still guided by the Safa vision, and the first thing you do with such a project is that you tell everyone about their strong points and make them aware of their role and that they will determine their fate.
“The players knew there was no mandate, but no one wants to be associated with losing. We still need to stay focused because 2015 will be a springboard for us.”
The coach is mindful of the fact that all it would take for South Africa to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 2008 is a win against Claude le Roy’s Congo side. He said he had already warned his players about being sluggish and made it clear that he would not change the winning formula even in the remaining games should Bafana get the job done early.
“If you watched our game in Congo, you would have seen players being complacent towards the end. Unfortunately, complacency is a physiological thing and we are busy dealing with it. We have got to make them take responsibility,” explained Mashaba.
“People are also saying we should qualify early and try other players. No ways. We won’t try other players. Everyone must earn their place in the team. We want to keep the same approach because we want to keep the core of the team.”
Mashaba also added that goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa will continue to captain the Bafana side because there was still a shortage of leaders in the team.
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