Self-doubt seemingly does not exist as a word in Ephraim ‘‘Shakes” Mashaba’s vocabulary as the Bafana Bafana coach is confident that his charges will ascend the winners’ podium and claim this year’s Cosafa Cup.Bafana open their account against Botswana at Moruleng Stadium on Sunday, and a forthright Mashaba said South Africa can forget about continental domination if the bar is set very low in matches against teams from the Southern African region.
‘‘You cannot expect to become a dictator on the continent when you do not command respect in your own region, against your neighbours” said Mashaba.
‘‘I think this Cosafa Cup, we still need to sit down and look at how to tackle it . Yes, it gives us a chance to widen the base, but we need to make sure we win it.”
The regional tournament got under way in the North West five days ago but Bafana, the hosts, and Botswana will only begin their participation from the quarterfinal stage.
The event’s archives suggest that Mashaba’s confidence is not misplaced as he led Bafana to the first of SA’s three Cosafa Cup titles when he spearheaded the side to a 4-1 aggregate win over Malawi in September 2002.
Carlos Alberto Parreira won the title in 2007 and Serame Letsoaka defended it the following year.
But preparations for this year’s event have been hampered by withdrawals through injury.
Given the many challenges, Mashaba said it was puzzling that the nation’s soccer lovers thumb their noses at the Cosafa Cup and expect neighbouring sides to roll over and play dead at the Bafana players’ feet.
‘‘The fact is we always struggle against our neighbours and yet people always complain when they give us problem. That is why we have got to start here .”
Botswana features a number of players who play in the PSL. They include Mogakolodi Ngele, goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe (both from Platinum Stars), the Bloemfontein Celtic duo of Joel Mogorosi and Mogogi Gabonamong, as well as Polokwane City keeper Modiri Marumo.
Bafana have been in camp since last week. Mashaba has had to replace three injured players – Puleng Tlolane, Athenkosi Dlala and Cole Alexander – from his original squad.
Their places were taken by Platinum Stars winger Tlou Segolela and midfield teammate Mduduzi Nyanda, and SuperSport forward Lebogang Manyama.
The team departed for North West yesterday morning and the medical staff will monitor Gift Motupa, who had an ankle sprain, and Marc van Heerden (Achilles strain), before Sunday’s encounter.
Shakes demands best from ‘Boys’
‘‘You cannot expect to become a dictator on the continent when you do not command respect in your own region, against your neighbours” said Mashaba.
‘‘I think this Cosafa Cup, we still need to sit down and look at how to tackle it . Yes, it gives us a chance to widen the base, but we need to make sure we win it.”
The regional tournament got under way in the North West five days ago but Bafana, the hosts, and Botswana will only begin their participation from the quarterfinal stage.
The event’s archives suggest that Mashaba’s confidence is not misplaced as he led Bafana to the first of SA’s three Cosafa Cup titles when he spearheaded the side to a 4-1 aggregate win over Malawi in September 2002.
Carlos Alberto Parreira won the title in 2007 and Serame Letsoaka defended it the following year.
But preparations for this year’s event have been hampered by withdrawals through injury.
Given the many challenges, Mashaba said it was puzzling that the nation’s soccer lovers thumb their noses at the Cosafa Cup and expect neighbouring sides to roll over and play dead at the Bafana players’ feet.
‘‘The fact is we always struggle against our neighbours and yet people always complain when they give us problem. That is why we have got to start here .”
Botswana features a number of players who play in the PSL. They include Mogakolodi Ngele, goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe (both from Platinum Stars), the Bloemfontein Celtic duo of Joel Mogorosi and Mogogi Gabonamong, as well as Polokwane City keeper Modiri Marumo.
Bafana have been in camp since last week. Mashaba has had to replace three injured players – Puleng Tlolane, Athenkosi Dlala and Cole Alexander – from his original squad.
Their places were taken by Platinum Stars winger Tlou Segolela and midfield teammate Mduduzi Nyanda, and SuperSport forward Lebogang Manyama.
The team departed for North West yesterday morning and the medical staff will monitor Gift Motupa, who had an ankle sprain, and Marc van Heerden (Achilles strain), before Sunday’s encounter.
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