September 25, 20:31IOL

Pitsso Mosimane aims to win the trophy with the South African national team before the match against Guinea

Pitsso Mosimane has stated his intention to achieve victory in a major tournament with the Bafana Bafana team during his second term as the national team coach. He emphasized that winning the trophy is one of his main objectives.

Qualification for AFCON

Mosimane begins his second stint with the team as Bafana faces Guinea in a qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday afternoon at the Orlando Amstel Arena stadium. This match is crucial for determining the tone of his four-year contract.

Mosimane's primary goal remains ensuring the team qualifies for two consecutive AFCON tournaments. He aims to build upon the successes achieved under Hugo Broos over the past five years, which led Bafana to two AFCON appearances, securing a bronze medal for the first time, and achieving a historic World Cup playoff berth recently.

Mosimane acknowledged the previous coach's contributions, stating: 'We must accept and recognize the work done by the previous coach. It was good for us. But we must win the cup, right? We must try to win the cup.'

Since reaching the World Cup appears unlikely as a title-winning objective, AFCON is viewed as the most realistic chance for the team to secure a trophy. Given that South Africa's last AFCON triumph was 30 years ago, Mosimane believes it is time to set higher standards.

He reiterated his desire: 'It has been a long time. I want to win the cup. I am not saying I will win, but I want to win the cup. That is why I am here. The players want to win the cup, right? If we are not trying to win the cup, what are we trying to do? Qualify again and again?'

Acknowledging the necessity of qualifying first, Mosimane added: 'We cannot win the cup if we do not qualify. We know the steps we must take to win the cup. That is the goal: perhaps to try to win the cup in four years.'

As Mosimane signed a four-year contract, he is expected to deliver quick results. Failure to succeed could not only create immediate pressure on him but also lead to a repetition of the disappointments he experienced during his previous tenure as coach.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 25, 18:35

Nkosinathi Sibisi ruled out of AFCON qualifier for Bafana Bafana against Guinea due to injury

Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will be unable to participate in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea, which is scheduled for Saturday at Orlando Stadium after sustaining an injury during training.

AFCON Qualification

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed that defender Nkosinathi Sibisi has been excluded from the squad for the 2027 qualifier against Guinea, which will take place at Orlando Stadium. Sibisi was initially included in the thirty-man squad that Mosimane named for his first match back as coach.

Mosimane, who emphasized during a press conference that he plans to rely on the foundation laid by his predecessor Hugo Brues, expected Sibisi to play in defense against the Guinean national team. However, Sibisi's injury weakens Bafana's central defensive line. The team has already lost key players from the World Cup campaign, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who also withdrew from the camp due to injury.

Nevertheless, the remaining central defender, Impe Okon, will not be isolated. Mosimane remains confident in the sufficient depth of the team's defense, pointing to promising youth talent, among whom Olwetu Mahanya stands out, demonstrating good form for Rangers.

Mosimane commented on Sibisi's condition, stating: 'He hasn't trained for the last two days. He got injured in training. The doctor says he will miss this match. Injuries are part of professional sport. That's why we recruit many players. You never know what will happen.'

Sibisi is the second Bafana player to be ruled out due to injury since the group camp, following the ankle injury of Lebohanga Maboe, sustained during the first training session. Maboe was replaced by Tshepanga Moremi. It is important for Bafana to demonstrate solid defensive play so as not to start Mosimane's second term with a setback at Orlando Stadium, where strong fan support is expected during the long weekend match.

iol.co.zaSeptember 25, 07:30

Bafana Bafana coach Pitsos Mosimane explains choice of Egypt for friendly match

Bafana Bafana national team coach Pitsos Mosimane explained his strategy for choosing Egypt for the first friendly match during his second tenure as coach. He stated that he quickly loses interest when matches are too easy.

International Friendly Matches

Mosimane will begin his second period of work with the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea at home on Saturday, and then play in Erriha in Cairo on September 30. After this, the team will stay in Cairo to meet the Pharaohs in a friendly match on October 4.

The game against Egypt will provide a real test for young players, reserves, and returning players. Although the national team has not won the Africa Cup since 2010, Egypt remains the most successful on the continent, holding seven continental trophies, including three consecutive victories from 2006 to 2010.

Considering that Egypt ranks 24th in the world and third on the continent, while Bafana is ranked 54th and 10th respectively, Mosimane emphasized that his team needs to perform its best.

“It is easy to play a friendly match that you can always win,” said Mosimane. “Let’s play Egypt. Let’s do it right.”

Previously, during his first term, Mosimane planned matches against leading African forces, which ultimately led to his dismissal after a series of draws. Nevertheless, he realizes that he might face similar scrutiny but remains unfazed.

He added: “I also know my fate from 14 years ago. It was because I played Ivory Coast, Zambia, Ghana—the six best teams on the continent. I used them as friendlies for preparation, and I got all draws. You know my fate.”

Mosimane asked himself: “Am I doing the same thing with these friendlies? Or should I find someone we can beat 5-0 and say we have changed? But I am the type of person who falls for his own dreams. I believe we must do it right. It may not work out, but it is part of life.”

Choosing the easy path simply does not suit Mosimane's style; instead, he prefers to challenge himself. “Here I am. This is me in football—when it is easy and comfortable, I get bored,” concluded Mosimane. “I need this excitement. I need to be on the edge. I think that is my essence.”