Shakes Mashaba Reflects on His Career as One of South Africa’s Most Successful Football Coaches

Shakes Mashaba is widely regarded as one of the best football coaches to have emerged from South Africa.

With an impressive career, he has left a lasting mark on the national team, Bafana Bafana, and the South African U23 team.

At 54 years old, Mashaba continues to be celebrated for his valuable contributions to South African football, particularly in developing the youth systems.

A Remarkable Win Ratio with Bafana Bafana

One of Mashaba’s most notable achievements is his remarkable win ratio, which remains the highest among all Bafana Bafana coaches to date.

Despite having never completed a full contract, he managed to maintain an outstanding 55% win ratio across the 58 matches he coached.

His legacy includes leading Bafana Bafana to an unbeaten run at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), further solidifying his place in South African football history.

The Origins of ‘Bra Shakes’

Mashaba’s journey into football and his iconic nickname, “Bra Shakes,” is rooted in his early career days.

In an interview with Kick-Off last year, Mashaba shared the story behind the nickname.

After leaving Orlando Pirates in the 70s, he joined Moroka Swallows and was given the nickname by a gentleman who worked for Smirnoff.

“Bra Shasha,” who played central defense for the senior team, was known for his unique body movements when he was off the ball.

Mashaba, who took on a similar role, began imitating these movements and jokingly called himself “Bra Shasha,” which eventually evolved into “Bra Shakes.”

Shakes Mashaba’s Legacy in South African Football

Throughout his career, Mashaba’s approach to coaching and his temperament—particularly when dealing with the media—have sometimes led to challenges.

Nonetheless, his success, particularly with Bafana Bafana, has earned him a respected place alongside other great South African coaches like Clive Barker and Hugo Broos.

Today, Mashaba’s contributions to South African football, especially his work with the youth, continue to be a point of pride.

Where do you place Shakes Mashaba among the best local coaches? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment or reaching out to us through our contact details.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn