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Mashaba honoured for his role in soccer

In a vote of confidence in Sowetan, the South African Football Association, which is hosting the 2010 World Cup finals on behalf of Africa, and an organisation we often criticise for being a shambles, still believe we rate among the best, if not the best when it comes to football coverage in the country. The same view is shared by Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) when it comes to coverage of their activities. Sello Rabothata (pictured), Sowetan's deputy sports editor, received the awards - a certificate and a trophy from Safa and a shield from CGA - on behalf of the newspaper on Saturday. 10/11/08. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. © Sowetan.
In a vote of confidence in Sowetan, the South African Football Association, which is hosting the 2010 World Cup finals on behalf of Africa, and an organisation we often criticise for being a shambles, still believe we rate among the best, if not the best when it comes to football coverage in the country. The same view is shared by Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) when it comes to coverage of their activities. Sello Rabothata (pictured), Sowetan's deputy sports editor, received the awards - a certificate and a trophy from Safa and a shield from CGA - on behalf of the newspaper on Saturday. 10/11/08. Pic. Veli Nhlapo. © Sowetan.

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has commended Safa for coming up with an awards ceremony to honour people who contribute to the growth of the sport.

"The awards are long overdue but welcome. It such a great thing that the president [of Safa, Molefi Oliphant] saw it fit to introduce them," said Mashaba.

"Getting an award is always a motivating factor, it encourages you to redouble your efforts because your contribution is recognised.

"The Safa Awards will help to create more role models," added Mashaba, the only South African coach to have qualified for a global youth soccer competition.

This was after Amajita, who then had players such as Benni McCarthy and Nkhephitheni Matombo, qualified for the World Youth Championships in Malaysia in 1997.

After that, Mashaba rewrote history again when he guided the Under-23 national team to SA's first ever Olympic Games finals in Australia in 2000.

Mashaba is one of the coaches who were honoured by the association on Saturday for their contribution to the sport.

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