Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, born on 6 August 1950, is one of South Africa’s most influential football figures. His career as both a player and coach has left a lasting legacy in the sport. As a player, Mashaba made his mark at Orlando Pirates, where he spent the majority of his career. His leadership and skill on the field earned him a place among the club’s greats, setting the stage for his future as a coach. Mashaba’s coaching journey began in the 1980s with Vaal Reef Stars, before moving on to youth football in the early ’90s. In 1998, he became the coach of the U-20 team, and later the U-23 squad. His crowning achievement at this level was leading the U-23 team to a stunning 3-1 victory over Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, one of the most memorable moments in South African football history. Mashaba’s success at youth level earned him the role of head coach for Bafana Bafana after the 2002 World Cup. Although his first stint was short, his second spell in 2014 brought South Africa an unbeaten qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, and a historic elimination of Nigeria, the defending champions, from the tournament. His win ratio with Bafana Bafana stands at an impressive 55% from 58 matches, marking him as one of the most successful coaches in the team’s history.

In 2024, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor recognizing his immense contribution to the sport and his enduring legacy as one of the nation’s footballing icons.

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