Shakes Mashaba has entered dangerous territory by playing the race card in response to criticism of Bafana Bafana's plate semifinal exit from the Cosafa Cup.
After losing their quarterfinal against Botswana on penalties in their first match of the tournament, the seeded Bafana again lost via the lottery of the shootout (5-4) to Malawi in Rustenburg on Wednesday.
The South Africans again failed to score and were even less convincing against Malawi, managing one effort on target.
A first-round exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in January has been followed by Bafana falling at the first hurdle in a tournament Mashaba had identified as important to win if they were to make an impact on the continent.
Naturally, the two failures have raised doubts about his suitability for the job and spelt the end of Mashaba's honeymoon period.
"I understand - it goes with agendas. I want to repeat today, we had a World Cup-winning coach [Carlos Parreira]. We went the same route. I've never heard the question, 'Is he the right coach or not'?" Mashaba said at the post-match press conference.
"He came and he went. I'm going to be rude - I think my colour is a problem here. That's what I'm going to say."
Adding to the confusion was Mashaba's failure yesterday to announce his squad for the June 13 opening Afcon qualifier against Gambia like he said he would.
Journalists waiting for the announcement in Rustenburg were informed the coach had left for Johannesburg and the announcement would be made next week.
On Wednesday night, Mashaba was confident he had unearthed "two or three" players who could make that squad. He said his team performed well against Malawi.
"According to my judgment, the boys did very well to be where they are. Unfortunately, we can't define what well is all about. But I think they played their lungs out to lose on a penalty shootout.
"Once it gets to that stage it's everyone's game.
"In tactical terms, our opposition were a bit on top of us here and there. And that you cannot blame on the players because it's all about exposure to these kinds of tournaments."
Honeymoon is over for Mashaba
Shakes Mashaba has entered dangerous territory by playing the race card in response to criticism of Bafana Bafana's plate semifinal exit from the Cosafa Cup.
After losing their quarterfinal against Botswana on penalties in their first match of the tournament, the seeded Bafana again lost via the lottery of the shootout (5-4) to Malawi in Rustenburg on Wednesday.
The South Africans again failed to score and were even less convincing against Malawi, managing one effort on target.
A first-round exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in January has been followed by Bafana falling at the first hurdle in a tournament Mashaba had identified as important to win if they were to make an impact on the continent.
Naturally, the two failures have raised doubts about his suitability for the job and spelt the end of Mashaba's honeymoon period.
"I understand - it goes with agendas. I want to repeat today, we had a World Cup-winning coach [Carlos Parreira]. We went the same route. I've never heard the question, 'Is he the right coach or not'?" Mashaba said at the post-match press conference.
"He came and he went. I'm going to be rude - I think my colour is a problem here. That's what I'm going to say."
Adding to the confusion was Mashaba's failure yesterday to announce his squad for the June 13 opening Afcon qualifier against Gambia like he said he would.
Journalists waiting for the announcement in Rustenburg were informed the coach had left for Johannesburg and the announcement would be made next week.
On Wednesday night, Mashaba was confident he had unearthed "two or three" players who could make that squad. He said his team performed well against Malawi.
"According to my judgment, the boys did very well to be where they are. Unfortunately, we can't define what well is all about. But I think they played their lungs out to lose on a penalty shootout.
"Once it gets to that stage it's everyone's game.
"In tactical terms, our opposition were a bit on top of us here and there. And that you cannot blame on the players because it's all about exposure to these kinds of tournaments."
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