'Shakes' Mashaba heads to court to block appointment of new Bafana coach

Former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba has approached the Labour Court on Tuesday to stop the appointment of a new head coach until the finalisation of his dismissal challenge at the Commission for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

Mashaba was fired as national team coach in December after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of gross misconduct‚ insubordination and violating the communications policy of the South African Football Association (Safa).

This followed the then coach's public outburst in November in Polokwane‚ where he had a go at Safa bosses and the media following his side's 2-1 victory over Senegal in the second match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds.

His lawyer‚ Advocate Claudio Bollo‚ argued that appointing a new head coach while Mashaba is still challenging his dismissal at the CCMA‚will cause irreparable harm to him.

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"If a reinstatement order is granted‚ we will have two head coaches. Don't allow them [Safa] at the CCMA to say we've already employed someone‚" argued Bollo.

He said Safa has indicated that a head coach will be "identified" by the end of February‚ a month before the CCMA matter.

"If they should appoint a coach‚ while the CCMA matter is unfolding‚ this will cause Mr Mashaba irreparable harm‚" Bollo said.

He said Mashaba stands a good chance of being reinstated as head coach.

"We've made out a case that has not been challenged here. Reinstatement [of Mashaba] is a possibility."

  - TMG Digital