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Johannesburg - National Under-20 head coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba has distanced himself from reports linking him with the Bafana Bafana coaching job.
Mashaba, the 2013 COSAFA Under-20 winning mentor, is touted as the favourite to take over from current coach, Gordon Igesund, when his contract with the South African Football Association (SAFA) elapses at the end of July.
The issue regarding the Bafana coaching position will be discussed by SAFA president Danny Jordaan and members of the executive committee after the friendly games against Australia and New Zealand later this month.
"Shakes" was reluctant to comment on the matter.
"I don't want to comment on this matter or anything related to this," Mashaba told Sport24.
"Look, Bafana Bafana have a good coach who is also doing all his executives very well.
"I won't show any disrespect to Gordon (Igesund) and SAFA for that matter.
"At the moment, I will not get involved in talks like this.
"Gordon is the one in charge of Bafana for all we know," he added.
Mashaba previously took charge of Bafana from 2002 until late 2003, helping them qualify for the 2004 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.
Most notably, the 63-year-old coach helped down the Brazilian Under-23 side in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia.
The then-feared Brazilian side included the likes of Ronaldinho and suffered a 3-1 loss to Amaglug-glug courtesy of Quinton Fortune, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Steve Lekoelea strikes.
Mashaba, the 2013 COSAFA Under-20 winning mentor, is touted as the favourite to take over from current coach, Gordon Igesund, when his contract with the South African Football Association (SAFA) elapses at the end of July.
The issue regarding the Bafana coaching position will be discussed by SAFA president Danny Jordaan and members of the executive committee after the friendly games against Australia and New Zealand later this month.
"Shakes" was reluctant to comment on the matter.
"I don't want to comment on this matter or anything related to this," Mashaba told Sport24.
"Look, Bafana Bafana have a good coach who is also doing all his executives very well.
"I won't show any disrespect to Gordon (Igesund) and SAFA for that matter.
"At the moment, I will not get involved in talks like this.
"Gordon is the one in charge of Bafana for all we know," he added.
Mashaba previously took charge of Bafana from 2002 until late 2003, helping them qualify for the 2004 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.
Most notably, the 63-year-old coach helped down the Brazilian Under-23 side in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney, Australia.
The then-feared Brazilian side included the likes of Ronaldinho and suffered a 3-1 loss to Amaglug-glug courtesy of Quinton Fortune, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Steve Lekoelea strikes.
