Former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has told Safa to pay him out or reappoint him despite being found guilty of gross misconduct and insubordination during disciplinary proceedings.

Mashaba was fired December in the wake of his conduct following the national team’s 2-1 win over Senegal in a World Cup qualifier. Now, the veteran coach is fighting back with his lawyers stating that his dismissal was ‘not appropriate’.

‘We think the coach’s case is strong. We feel he should not have been dismissed. We feel his dismissal was not appropriate. The CCMA is quicker at hearing matters than it used to be, so we are hoping for an outcome by February or March,’ Bollo told Times Media Group.

Safa have also reportedly been warned not to appoint a new coach while the case rages on.

‘We’ve asked Safa in writing not to appoint a new coach. If they do not agree to this, then we will seek the court’s help in an interdict,’ Bollo added.

Mashaba’s lawyers insist that the coach wants to return to work but if no agreement can be reached, then they will pursue a damages claim which will see him paid out for the remainder of his contract which ran up until the end of the 2018 World Cup.

Safa, meanwhile, have not received any letter with their offices still closed from the festive break. Communications manager Dominic Chimhavi believe the association have little to answer for. ‘We did everything above board,’ said Chimhavi in response to Bollo’s claims.

Chimhavi’s stance mirrors that of Safa CEO Dennis Mumble, who claims Safa ‘are 200% sure we cannot lose’.

While the sideshow of Mashaba’s legal action takes centre stage, fans of the national team will be getting edgy as they wait patiently for the unveiling of the coach who will have the responsibility of guiding Bafana to the World Cup in 2018.