 Ephraim Mashaba is celebrating the court ruling |
The Johannesburg High Court on Friday overturned the suspension of South African coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba for breach of contract pending arbitration. The ruling came as Bafana Bafana flew to Senegal for a friendly match ahead of the Cup of Nations under the stewardship of assistant coach April 'Styles' Phumo.
The South African Football Association (Safa) dismissed Mashaba on Thursday, saying the outspoken coach had failed to remedy the alleged breaches.
But Mashaba challenged the suspension in court, arguing that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.
Judge Sunita Snyders agreed, saying Mashaba's contract stipulated he should have been notified in writing of any alleged breaches and given a chance to rectify them before he was suspended.
She urged both sides to resolve the dispute through arbitration as quickly as possible.
Mashaba's supporters, who filled the court on Friday, burst into applause after the ruling.
"I'm happy that at the end justice prevailed," said Mashaba.
"I'm ready to go to Tunisia now...that's where my duties are."
However there was no immediate reaction to the ruling from Safa, with many top officials already travelling to Senegal.
MMIX
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