Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has explained why he brought on Samukele Kabini over Fawaaz Basadien in the side’s 2-1 win over Guinea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Kabini, 22, was a second half substitute in Bafana’s group D qualifying opener at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday replacing the injured Aubrey Modiba at left-back.
The Norway-based Kabini brought with him the winner from the bench, his first goal in national colours to help Bafana move to the top of the group with three points.
Mosimane said he didn’t want to reveal the conversation he had with the player before he came on, adding that the former TS Galaxy man deserved minutes in the game because he already plays at the highest level.
“I don’t want to take credit on those things because we coaches sometimes because there’s a goal and we want to sound intelligent,” said Mosimane.
“But that’s my talk with him I can’t tell you. We‘re overloaded also with the left-backs. Basadien is good also, right, but he’s playing at the good level, Kabini.”
“He needs to be given a chance. But why Kabini he is physically bigger, he’s a big boy, he’s a solid boy, strong, and you could see the players from Guinea are big boys, tall, strong.”
“I guess the confidence of the area that he’s playing in. He’s playing every day in those spaces.”
“We have good local players who can match, this is high level. This is European stuff that he’s been playing against.”
“But it’s just coaching there’s nothing special. I can’t say that I made him to score the goal, no.”