With a record of two wins, two draws, zero defeats, as well as five goals scored and none conceded, it is fair to say that the 64-year-old Mashaba has done a great job so far. And he could further enhance his reputation this weekend if Bafana defeat Sudan in Durban and secure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Durban-based Zwane, who is now AmaZulu’s team manager, speaks with authority on this matter because Mashaba drew criticism when he selected the left-footer back in 2003 during the qualifiers for the Africa Nations Cup in Tunisia in 2004.
Zwane earned a debut away at Ivory Coast and was named Man of the Match for his efforts. South Africa would go on to draw that game and beat Ivory Coast in South Africa before defeating Burundi away and sailing into the Afcon 2004 finals.
“I don’t think we have to be surprised. His record speaks for itself. When he was picking the team and guys were saying ‘why is he picking Masango and these players’ remember when he picked me!
“It was my first cap and he showed that he believes in me and I did the job for him. When a coach does that then you will give everything and prove your worth. He does that to players; he relates to players and cares about the players.
“My first game for Bafana was away to Ivory Coast. On the Saturday morning he decided that I was starting the game. Everyone was surprised. But I got Man of the Match in this game and I hit the post three times in that game. When someone believes in you then what can be achieved?”
Zwane’s words come as an encouragement to Mashaba’s young guns ahead of their match against Sudan in KZN this weekend followed by Nigeria away next Wednesday night.
Should Mashaba guide his team to victory, it would be the second time that he has secured a spot in the continental finals, having achieved the same back in 2003 for the Tunisia finals the following year. However, he left the post before having the chance to lead his team in the tournament in north Africa.
Mashaba’s overall record as Bafana coach – which combines a caretaker stint in October 1992, his first permanent spell from August 2002 to November 2003 and his current tenure, which began with his first match in September – currently stands at 23 matches in charge. Fourteen wins, seven draws and just two defeats from that sequence of 23 is an outstanding record at international level.