5 February 2025 – Former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was at a loss for words when South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan awarded him with an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal on Wednesday.
The erstwhile South African senior men’s national team mentor is recuperating at a Johannesburg hospital after falling ill a few days ago and was surprised when a SAFA delegation led by Dr Jordaan arrived to pay him a visit. He was even more stunned when the SAFA President awarded him with the medal in recognition of his contribution to Bafana Bafana in the past. The South African senior men’s national team won the bronze medals after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the AFCON third-place play-off last year.
The AFCON bronze medalists qualified for the 2025 tournament after finishing Group K undefeated and perched at the summit last year, with many observers insisting that they have become one of the toughest and most difficult teams to play against on the continent.
“Your visit is such a pleasant surprise, but the AFCON bronze medal is the cherry on the icing. We all follow this Bafana Bafana team under coach Hugo Broos and we are very proud. This team…… wow,” the South African football legend said. Mashaba was at the helm as Bafana Bafana coach during spells in 1992, 2002-2003 and 2014-2016. He was also at the helm during the COSAFA Cup. He said South Africa has a great team and he expects the team to grow stronger in the coming months.
Dr Jordaan said he was happy to see Mashaba in high spirits and in a jovial mood. The former Bafana Bafana coach was in such high spirits that he was cracking jokes with the hospital staff and even walked the SAFA delegation back to the lifts on their way out.
“A lot of people have poured their hearts and souls into our national teams and Shakes Mashaba is one of them. Don’t forget that Shakes also coached the South African junior national teams. So, it is fitting that he is recognised for his contribution and dedication to his country over the years. More importantly, we are here to visit him and offer our support,” said Dr Jordaan.
Mashaba is the second former Bafana Bafana coach to be awarded with the AFCON bronze medal won by South African senior men’s national team at the continental tournament in Côte d’Ivoire last year after erstwhile coach Jomo Sono received his a few months ago. Sono stepped in as Bafana Bafana coach during spells in 1998, 2002 and in 2003.
Mashaba – who was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame last year alongside Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis, erstwhile South African senior men’s national team captains Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe, and the legendary Patrick “Ace”Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono and Nelson “Teenage” Dladla – said he intends to attend Bafana Bafana’s match against Lesotho next month.
Bafana Bafana will resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home to Lesotho and away to Benin in March 2025.
South African Football: Benni McCarthy , the team’s all-time leading scorer, scored 31 goals.
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