It is incredible how a good run of form can change a man’s attitude.
Just last month, Shakes Mashaba resembled a raging bull as he attempted to fend off what he felt were personal attacks. Following Bafana Bafana’s poor start to the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, a draw at home to lowly Gambia and defeat to Mauritania, South Africa’s senior national team coach was on the warpath against a media he believed was negative. Now, two friendly wins later, and the man popularly referred to as ‘Bra Shakes’ is walking with a spring in his step and talking about “developing a winning culture”.
The defeats of Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge and a surprise, yet well-deserved victory over Costa Rica on Friday, has got Mashaba back to his jolly self.
And there’s no doubt he will once again be “the gentleman of South African coaches” should he lead Bafana to success over Honduras at the Olympico Metropolitan Stadium tonight (12am, SA time).
Bafana complete their two-match Tour of Central America with a clash against a Honduras outfit that is nowhere near Costa Rica in class and the coach is confident his team can win the match to set themselves up nicely in terms of confidence for the World Cup qualifier against Angola next month.
“I have always maintained that winning is a good culture to develop. Yes, no one can continue winning because even the best in the business get beaten or even walloped as well, but I am excited by this group of players.
“They work together, have an incredible camaraderie and want to achieve things. This Central American tour has really cemented the unity among players and most of them will form a solid foundation for the team that will play Angola in the World Cup qualifiers.”
Mashaba’s excitement is not without reason – this is essentially the same team that never really pitched up in the defeat to Mauritania.
But in San Jose they were so switched on that they even had Costa Rica captain Keylor Navas – the Real Madrid goalkeeper – questioning why South Africa was not among the best in the world. Another such showing against Honduras and Mashaba’s excitement will be justified.
But more pleasing for the coach will be to have most of his squad fit for the two-legged World Cup preliminary tie against the Palanca Negras.
“Everything seems to be coming together. The combination at the back and midfield is any coach’s dream and we just need to beef up the strike force going forward”. - The Star