Shakes Mashaba is ready to coach in the Absa Premiership

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Jun 13, 2018. 15:00

Former South African national team coach Shakes Mashaba says he is prepared to listen to offers in the Premier Soccer League.

The former Bafana Bafana boss has availed himself for a job in the Absa Premiership, even from Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.

Mashaba was responding to the media as Amakhosi are looking for a new coach since parting ways with Steve Komphela in April.

The former Orlando Pirates skipper was unveiled as one of the ambassadors for the Big Shoe Cup at the launch this week, and the tournament is an initiative to raise awareness and funds for children with facial deformities.

Mashaba will be working with fellow tournament ambassadors, former Chiefs ex-goalkeeper Brian Baloyi and SA Football Coaches Association head Sudesh Singh.

Even though former Ghana coach Avram Grant is on Chiefs' radar, Mashaba fancies himself as a suitable prospect for the plum job.

The outspoken boss has been without a job since he was sacked as Bafana coach one-and-a-half years ago.

“I’ll always be available. Coaching is my area of expertise,” said Mashaba is quoted by the Daily Sun website.

“It’s what I always do. Perhaps if I’m called to be the president of the country I’ll be excited. That’s something I’m not used to. But if anyone comes to me about coaching, I’m definitely available.

“I’ve been the Bafana coach on three occasions and in all those stints I never went out a failure.

“Unfortunately there are those who get sidelined. Some coaches’ teams get relegated, but the next season you see them coaching another team that has just won the league.

“Still, what can we do? We cannot force owners to do things the way we want them to. But no one wants to sit and gather dust when there is a lot you can contribute.”