National team coach Shakes Mashaba is the real loser in the ‘war’ against the local media, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

Criticism and a top job in sport go together like fries with a burger. That’s just the way it is. It will never change.

Mashaba’s touchline antics (see the video here) have probably cost him his job. Time and time again Mashaba has been criticised by the media, including the writer of this column, following each strange selection, each loss – like the one at Mauritania, each bizarre explanation of the lack of knowledge of the team’s opponents and each public spat with a player; the one with Kamohelo Makotjo springs to mind – but that is just part and parcel of sport.

Ask Allister Coetzee.

Ask Russell Domingo.

If he truly believes he is the right man for the job, then media criticism should be like water off a duck’s back. It’s not uncommon for managers of international sporting teams to avoid newspapers or websites. A thick skin is as important as experience gained as a mentor.

The timing of Mashaba’s latest meltdown is curious.

It came moments after arguably his greatest triumph. Instead of turning the tide against the media themselves, he pointed the gun in his direction and now Safa are almost in a position where they are forced to pull the trigger.

Keeping journalists waiting for 45 minutes, refusing to speak to the broadcaster after the win and reportedly being unwilling to join the president of the football federation in the changing rooms for a post-match speech must have his employers and their sponsors questioning whether the timing may now be right to part ways with the outspoken veteran coach.

Should Owen Da Gama guide South Africa to a fast-paced albeit friendly win over Mozambique this week, it could be tickets for Shakes. His last game, his biggest win potentially now his last. And that was without a word spoken from the media …