The family of the former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has issued an update on his health following his hospitalisation a few days ago.
According to the family spokesperson, he was hospitalised at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on January 27, 2025, for a suspected bladder infection.
It has been confirmed that the former Black Leopards coach had experienced difficulty urinating for some time.
In his honour, Mashaba was inducted into the SA Hall of Fame on 20 November 2024, along with legends such as Jomo Sono, ex-SA senior men’s national team captains Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe, Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis, Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, and Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla.
WHAT EPHRAIM MASHABA’S FAMILY SPOKESPERSON SAID ABOUT HIS STATE OF HEALTH
Sithembele Khala, the family spokesperson, indicated that they are unhappy with the treatment coach Mashaba is getting at the Helen Joseph Hospital.
Khala further added that the coach couldn’t see a doctor for a day or two after his admission to the hospital.
“He was admitted on the 27th of January. He was very bad. His tongue was swollen and closed the airways. The care is not good. Remember, this is a public hospital, so it has its own challenges. The coach didn’t see a doctor for a day or two,” said family spokesperson Sithembele Khala on Radio 2000.
“When he finally saw a doctor, he was given a half diagnosis. They said they needed to put in a catheter, but when it was time to remove the catheter, the doctor didn’t come.
“An hour after it was removed, there were more complications, and he couldn’t pee again.”
Mashaba also coached Witbank Spurs, SA U-20, SA U-23, and Swaziland [now known as Eswatini] national team.
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