South Africa twice surrendered the lead to drop crucial points on home soil—first benefiting from an Amos Wanjala own goal before Michael Olunga levelled from the penalty spot.
Later, they saw Relebohile Mofokeng’s strike canceled out by Ryan Ogam’s late equaliser.
Mosimane explained that while holding a 2-1 advantage, he introduced substitutes specifically intended to see out the victory, adding that dominating possession means little if the team fails to convert the chances it creates.
“Yes, you’re right [it feels like a loss],” he admitted speaking in the post-match press conference at Orlando Amstel Arena.
“Hence, I brought in the holding midfielder to try, and keep it calm a little bit and that’s why I brought in the two wingers who I knew they would run.
“That’s because the opponents went to 5-3-2 in the second half. So, I thought the two ones on the side they will help Aubrey and Matuludi on the side. And also strengthen the midfield to bring in fresh legs.
“But that’s football for you, right? Two goals is not enough. Playing good football is not enough. You need to take the chances. And ball possession doesn’t win games. So that’s the reality.
“Those are the lessons we get from here. But I don’t think we want to qualify the hard way, I don’t think we want to.
“But for me, it’s to stay where we are on the log and finish where we are on the log, right? So, it’s still in our hands. But it’s sad, it’s a bit hard. But it’s part of the game. Now we can see the character we have in the team, can we fight? Stay where we are. Because we have worked hard to be where we are.”