A cheap shot too far

It did not take long for new Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba to hit out. Yesterday, ahead of Bafana's trip to Sudan for their Africa Cup of Nations qualification opener on Friday, Mashaba took on his critics for suggesting he was a "cheap option" for the national job.

The 64-year-old, who helped the under-20 team qualify for the African Youth Championships at the weekend, argued that he had been given a mandate by the SA Football Association, but did not specify what that is.

He leaves with his new-look side for Sudan tomorrow.

"This [the Bafana job] is nothing new to me. I have been in this chair before, and being here again is just a compliment," said Mashaba, who was chosen over 2014 World Cup coaches Carlos Queiroz of Iran and Nigeria's Stephen Keshi and others.

"I don't usually buy newspapers, but I have recently started to do so because I want to see what the critics are saying, even though some make it personal," he said.

"The one about me being cheap is really insulting. Show me the records of those expensive coaches and let's see. Our football is down because of them. I am the longest-serving coach in [SA] football and I was called the cheapest."

Mashaba is unlikely to be sent packing should he fail to get Bafana to next year's Nations Cup tournament in Morocco, but he said he would not encourage a lacklustre approach to the clash against Sudan - and Nigeria in Cape Town five days later.

"I don't want to be a losing coach. I've heard people say I don't have a mandate, but the truth is that once you accept this job you automatically have a mandate. We are not going to this game like sheep to the slaughter, but we are going to fight - even against Nigeria, a team that we can't seem to beat," he said.

The coach is also playing his cards close to his chest regarding the Bafana captaincy. Itumeleng Khune, who was appointed skipper by Mashaba's predecessor, Gordon Igesund, could be removed before the end of the week, with rightback Anele Ngcongca the hot favourite.

"The captaincy is about leadership, not tossing the coin and confronting the referees. We want someone who will guide the team on and off the field and someone who will deal with the problems players have when they arise," Mashaba said.

Asked about the possibility of taking over from Khune, Belgium-based defender Ngcongca had no hesitation in his response.

"Responsibility is a challenge, but I am not scared. I've captained my team [Genk], but it's up to the coach. Whatever comes my way, I am willing to face it," he said.