Former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has shared his views on Hugo Broos’ comments about Mbekezeli Mbokazi arriving late in the national team camp, saying the coach had every right to be upset but it’s difficult to comment without knowing all details.
Mbokazi, 20, arrived late in the Bafana camp despite being given two extra days off after missing his flight from Durban, leading to Broos go on a public rant last week.
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However, on Monday Broos apologised for some of his remarks, saying he and his family suffered after some of his comments were interpreted as “racist” and “sexist’.
Mosimane was asked about his opinion on the issue, and first hailed the job the Belgian tactician has done for the national team.
“It’s a tough one this one… First I want to start with the positives, congratulate coach Hugo Broos – we are in a World Cup, we are in a Cup of Nations, he has done exceptionally well,” he said, talking to Robert Marawa.
“I was there, I didn’t do as well as he did. He has put our country on the big map, and I’m a big fan, by the way. I want to learn how he made it and what, what’s his secret. He has done very well.”
‘The coach is right but…’
Mosimane then addressed the Mbokazi incident as well as Broos’ criticism of the defenders’ move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
“The Mbokazi issue, I’m wondering what happened and what were the messages, did they come on time? We don’t know, he knows,” he continued.
“Also, we can’t say… Look, it’s a double-edged sword, where Cassius didn’t play much or didn’t participate much in the MLS. But if we want to flip the coin, we can say what about Munetsi, was it the wrong move?
“You cannot say it’s right or wrong, the proof is in the pudding. We can say Munetsi went to Wolves from MLS [Ligue 1]. And then we can say Cassius didn’t do very well.
“But from the coach’s side, I take the position of the coach – there is nothing wrong for him to be upset that the player is late. Because you need to keep the discipline and you need anybody to know that you respect the national team and you come on time.
“But we don’t know what happened. I’ve been in that place where I can’t even share the challenges because of personal reason that we need to keep to ourselves.
“I used to accept MacBeth Sibaya, coming from Russia. For him to come here it takes 48 hours, and I used to accept him because I know his mentality. I know he’s gonna give everything.
“The challenge is the communication and if he was not briefed properly, he has a right to feel a little bit different, but we don’t know what happened.
“Mbokazi is a young player, you’ve got to have a little bit of room for these young players, yes but you don’t want to compromise the whole team.
“Until we know why Mbokazi didn’t come we can’t just make a real strong comment. But for him to come to late to camp is not right. He’s made a few mistakes on the pitch, he has got emotional a little bit.
“But that does not stop us from seeing he is a TLB, he’s a top player, he’s a young player, he’s an icon in KZN, there is more to come.”
Bafana take on Ghana’s CHAN team in their only pre-AFCON warm-up friendly at 16:00 at Dobsonville Stadium.
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