Owen Da Gama, coach of Highlands Park, celebrates with the Team during the National First Division match between Highlands Park and University of Pretoria at Makhulong Stadium. (Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)
Mashaba worked hand in hand with Da Gama in the Nedbank Ke Yona team search initiative for the last five years traveling the country while searching for raw talent alongside Mike Mangena and Khabo Zondo.
Da Gama was roped in to take over the head coach role at Highlands Park last year and he went to steer the Lions of the North back to the Absa Premiership after being relegated to the National First Division in the 2016/2017 season.
“I would like to congratulate one of our former coaches Owen da Gama on his achievement,” said Mashaba.
“It shows that this was a good combination and he must have learned a lot from us, he has done a good job.”
Mashaba and his co-coaches have begun their search with this year’s Ke Yona team search having started in Polokwane last week.