HOME > NEWS > SHAKES MASHABA UNDER 23S WERE UNLUCKY IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Shakes Mashaba: Under-23s were unlucky in Olympic qualifiers

Mashaba: We were unlucky

Posted: 2011-12-05 08:24

Shakes Mashaba says the Under-23s would have qualified for the Olympics if they had put away their chances.

Mashaba admits he is disappointed that the team is going home, but adds that there have been some positives from the tournament.

"We came here to win and qualify for the Olympics, and not only that, we were looking for the trophy. But anyway, that is football. There has to be a winner and a loser," the coach told CAF Online prior to the team's departure from Morocco last night.

Mashaba said that his boys played a good game against Egypy, despite the 2-0 loss.

"We controlled the first half and things were going in our favour. We should have scored more than once, but we were unlucky.

"I thought if we had managed to put away our chances we would have won easily. In the second half, Egypt scored early and that knocked us back. I asked them [the players] to attack, but we couldn't find the equaliser.

"It was a good game and I believe we deserved to win. The better side lost, especially since we controlled the game completely."

Mashaba commended Egypt's coach Hany Ramzy and their keeper Ahmed El Shennawy: "I believe their goalkeeper was the key behind their victory today."

Baby Bafana are due home today, and the row that erupted prior to their departure is likely to continue as Mashaba is also quoted in other media as saying a lack of physical fitness and match intelligence let the team down.

It is argued that the team would have done better had they had their core squad; the likes of Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Darren Keet and Bongani Ndulula.

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SisterP: 2011-12-05 08:57

Would have, could have, should have. There are no buts in soccer. you play poorly you lose. I still do not understand why we were defending. Previously we played so well, but when it matters most we defend. It seems south africa is a nation that is only good for friendly games. Shakes i fully support you now that your contract is coming to an end. We need a young fresh person to coach our junior teams. i say safa must give that job to Manqoba Mgqithi, assisted by Doctor Khumalo.

JS: 2011-12-05 09:09

We are often accused of accepting mediocrity, but under the circumstances Mr Mashaba, u have done well with the resources u had @ ur disposal. Let's not fool ourselves here, we are not world beaters anymore. I a Khosi & with the lack of strikers in SA, it's always going to be difficult to suceed without ur best striker in Ndulula Mr Mashaba. Can't say much about the likes of Jali & the Sereros since they have done nothing for the under 23 & as for Ndulula, the records are there for everone to see his contribution. He was solely missed & I Wish u all the best for the future Mr Mashaba.

Jack Sparrow : 2011-12-05 09:13

The first 2 games against Cote'd'Voire and Gabon respectively, were games we should have won by atleast 3 goals. Ramagalela and Jayiya in particular were very blunt and missed numerous golascoring opportunities. Shakes Mashaba is still the best.

Mgugudi: The Treble Addict: 2011-12-05 09:30

If you had spent more time on planning & tactics ratherthan on politicking & having a victimhood syndrom maybe the results would have been different.

Skepe Mketule: 2011-12-05 09:31

Bra Shakes I dont like to blame you , all I want to say is you have learnt a lesson , that you need to be proactive not to do things in the last second, if you wanted to secure players you needed you should have outlined that Immadiately you were appointed, similar to winning the first two games in the group stages it is very important thats what SA is lacking to winning the opening games and end up not knowing CAF rules

Motlokoa  : 2011-12-05 09:41

Next tiwm learn to focus more on the JOB on hand n leave politics to those who know better.

Masututsa: 2011-12-05 09:53

Buy'ekhaya Msheke.....to some of us, you still the best! No matter what some people might say!

kalawa wa le pirates!: 2011-12-05 11:10

PSL teams subbotaged Mashaba...i dont blame him.players like Jali, Ndulula should have been in that team. even the Supersport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams should have been in that team.Maybe we dont know how important the Olympic games are..

Amkhosi : 2011-12-05 11:13

Akies bra shakes we plyd wel far beta dan der defensive bafana bafana cowsa nd europan teams s arrogance cost us if der lyks of jail manyesa ndulula serero may mahlangu wer thr we could hv wnt tru 2 der nxt stage anywer safa mst jst gv u a bafana jop nd demote pitso 2 coach der u 20

Champjuju: 2011-12-05 11:14

You got exactly what you deserved after pointing fingers at the great duke. Once again it's been demonstrated that you go up against the worlds best chairman at your own peril.just hear mashaba now, being petty with nonsense like if's coud've's but's and all sorts of rubbish excuses. They lost and nothing else. Conceeded late in two games in a row and was outplayed in the last one and he's wrong as the better team won. Sarcasm want do him anygood now, sooner he accept that all national teams are just good at winning friendlies, pisto's seniors being the leaders in friendlies, mara yerrr why?

Swona Champ!: 2011-12-05 11:38

just stop off the field activities if you working with youth, they can easily get influenced, should you have not complained alot, this boys should have done what they did in Maputo, but you demoralised them! I think you failled, and you must resign, if you dont, change your approach in conflict management!

kasiologist: 2011-12-05 12:13

Not an ideal outcome but the team did what they could given the resources at hand. A lot more was expect so I cannot say I am not disappointed.

860715: 2011-12-05 12:52

Its not a metter of luck Mr. Mashaba but you and your boys were failed by SAFA and all PSL teams who didnt budge in trying to release some of the players we needed soooo badly and because of that the Olympic dream is over, to name a few, G. Maluleke(A.CPT) G.Lebese(K.C); A. Jali(O.P); K. Erasmus(SSU); Baloyi(K.C); B.Ndulula(O.P); K Mokotjo(Holland)T. Serero(A.A), D. Keet, D Claasen(Belgium), etc.
This ppl must start taking us seriously cuz all the teams that these players play for have depth and with their sme old story that this tourney was out of the FIFA callender is all crab.
Deeply Hurt!!!

Mutumaini: 2011-12-05 13:05

That's what a stupid coach deserves....How do you become happy when your team played draw?*RSA national coaches,ai no mahn!!!*

KaMashobana: 2011-12-05 14:04

Unlucky...2/9 and a goal difference of -2. Ungas'jwayeli kabi wena Shakes.

Aluwani K : 2011-12-05 15:43

Here we go again, its bcmin a norm here in SA...hidin bhnd bn unlucky. U create nd workhard den ul b lucky, tired of ds xcus nxa. U fail u fail, wen u win u dnt tel us u wr lucky

Postmanpat: 2011-12-05 17:40

The truth is we failed to qualify! That's the bottom line. This thing is singing "we were unlucky", "we dominated", "We could have, should have" is a loosers excuse. Football is not like boxing where you win on points. Score goals and win, come on, you went into the game knowing you should win. It is not like you were led to believe that by dominating the game you will win. Loosers!!!

siymuk: 2011-12-05 19:41

Another excuse, another failure, remember what people were saying when Egypt decided to dump their senior team and introduce the under 23? People cried foul, but the same team played together, understand each other and they beat clueless Baby Bafana. Its time to grow, we need four or five Under 23 in Bafan team. Stop talking about madalas over 30 introduce young blood PITSO AND MASHABA WHEN ITS STILL EARLY

Trevor 11: 2011-12-06 14:32

Keet; Mampuru; Xulu (c); Mathoho; Khumalo; Mokotjo; Jali; Mahlangu; Claasen; Erasmus; Serero
I firmly believe this line up wouldnt have surrended 4 points to Gabon and Cote d'Ivoire after taking leads in the first half.