Cape Town - Shakes Mashaba has hailed the contributions of all those
involved with Bafana Bafana after he was named Coach of the Year at the
2014 South Africa Sports Awards on Sunday.
The tactician has made a telling impact with the national football team since his appointment as head coach earlier this year, highlighted by Bafana's successful qualification to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished top of Group A.
Speaking during the country's end of year awards ceremony, Mashaba said: "Firstly, let me thank the one above, also the Minister of Sport Mr 'Razzmatazz' [Fikile] Mbalula, the president of SAFA, Dr Danny Jordaan, and the players who have shown passion.
"My colleagues, the technical staff and their families; I appreciate all the work you do.
"Also, the churches of South Africa for the prayers that you have been giving the team.
"You are lovely South Africa, we didn't get the support, we felt it and it made us to be where we are today."
Mashaba and Bafana followed up their successful AFCNO qualifying campaign by lifting the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy on Sunday after seeing off the Ivory Coast 2-0, with Bongani Zungu and David Zulu getting the goals for the hosts.
The tactician has made a telling impact with the national football team since his appointment as head coach earlier this year, highlighted by Bafana's successful qualification to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished top of Group A.
Speaking during the country's end of year awards ceremony, Mashaba said: "Firstly, let me thank the one above, also the Minister of Sport Mr 'Razzmatazz' [Fikile] Mbalula, the president of SAFA, Dr Danny Jordaan, and the players who have shown passion.
"My colleagues, the technical staff and their families; I appreciate all the work you do.
"Also, the churches of South Africa for the prayers that you have been giving the team.
"You are lovely South Africa, we didn't get the support, we felt it and it made us to be where we are today."
Mashaba and Bafana followed up their successful AFCNO qualifying campaign by lifting the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy on Sunday after seeing off the Ivory Coast 2-0, with Bongani Zungu and David Zulu getting the goals for the hosts.