Johannesburg – Shakes Mashaba was sacked as Bafana Bafana coach on Thursday morning following the conclusion of his disciplinary hearing, in which he was found guilty of gross misconduct, insubordination and bringing the SA Football Association (Safa) into disrepute.
A highly placed source confirmed to IOL Sport that Mashaba was served with a termination notice on Wednesday and will vacate his post as national team coach with immediate effect despite having a contract that was only due to expire after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
His technical team, which includes two assistant coaches in Owen da Gama, Thabo Senong and goalkeeper coach Lucky Shiburi, still have an uncertain future because the decision to keep them or let the go will rest with the new coach, who is still to be confirmed.
Dennis Mumble, the Safa CEO, said in a statement released on Thursday: “Due to the seriousness of the Coach’s actions, we had to release our Head Coach with immediate effect. We shall immediately institute a search for a new head coach familiar with African football competition who will be expected to continue the quest to qualify for the world’s apex football competition. We ask all supporters to continue to support Bafana Bafana.”
Mashaba’s imminent departure was clear six weeks ago when the coach was seen to have disrespected his employers minutes after Bafana’s important 2-1 win over Senegal in a crunch World Cup qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last month. Some in Safa saw the coach’s public finger-wagging at officials and alleged refusal to fulfill media commitments at the venue as fireable offences.
The 66-year-old learnt of his suspension on November 13, a day after the match as he was preparing to board a flight to Maputo where the national team was scheduled to play a friendly match against Mozambique two days later.
It has been reported that during the disciplinary hearing, Mashaba asked to be released from his contract only if there was a pay-out, but the association refused, believing that they had a water-tight case for his dismissal. He was rumoured to be earning R500 000 a month.
Safa confirmed Mashaba was found guilty of the following charges, in a hearing that took place over a period of five days:
1. Gross Misconduct/Professional Misconduct
2. Gross Insubordination/Professional Misconduct
3. Violation of the SAFA Communications Policy