New Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has hinted at changes in the squad however warned he is not going to just throw those who have been part of the foundation aside.
Mosimane, 62, was unveiled as Hugo Broos’ successor on Tuesday after months of speculation that followed the Belgian’s departure. Broos’ five-year tenure at the helm of the team saw him help the side qualify for back-to-back African Cup of Nations tournaments, finishing on the podium in one of those editions.
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The team also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years and they made history qualifying out of the group for the very first time.
Meanwhile, Mosimane’s first assignment is the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Bafana start their qualifying campaign in Group D at home against Guinea and away against Eritrea this month.
Asked about plans for the team, Mosimane admitted he has a good foundation and that the door is now open to those who haven’t really had game time in the national team and those who have been overlooked.
“I’m not carrying the biggest broom to sweep here,” said Mosimane.
“We have a very good foundation of a team that went to the World Cup. Yeah, it’s mixed with about five injuries, major injuries that they won’t be available. I think you know the names of the people who are not going to be available. So, we need to replace those but it’s very important. There’s no time, as you said.”
“We just have to replace those players who are out injured, and also at the same time, there’s a few emerging talents, players who are doing exceptionally well abroad. We know about them we’re looking into that. But the main focus is the two qualifiers, and we have a friendly game that we can bring and give other players a chance who have not been able to play.
“I mean, we have players like [Samkelo] Kabini, they have never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also and they are part of the team. They were in the World Cup, they didn’t get a chance to play, but we also have a team that you and me know very well that has to lead us to qualify for the AFCON, but in the process we will give opportunities to other players.
“Fortunately, there’s friendly game behind the two qualifiers, so hopefully we see those players playing because you also want to see some of those players who were at the World Cup and never had a chance to play or who maybe played one game, friendly game.
So, they have an opportunity to be seen and also there’s others who have not been called up but they’ve raised their hands internationally and playing at a good level. So that’s the plan.”
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