Pitsso Mosimane is setting strict demands for the Bafana Bafana national team players, emphasizing that the tactical approach and playing style must adhere to the interests of the team, rather than club preferences. He believes that every footballer is obliged to adapt to the needs of the national team.
Bafana Bafana
During the CAFCON qualifier match against Guinea, which ended with a 2-1 victory for Bafana Bafana at Orlando Stadium Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon, Aubrey Modiba and Oswin Apollos played on the left flank. Mosimane highly praised Modiba's performance as a left-back and urged him to continue playing as he does for 'Mamelodi Sundowns,' as this is the most effective way to serve the national team.
Mosimane stated decisively: 'Modiba must play exactly as he plays for Sundowns. He must take up the number 10 position. This is important. I did not invent this style for Modiba—he played like this. We must use his strengths.'
Nevertheless, Mosimane believes that Apollos and right-back Kamogelo Selebele could contribute more to the team's game in both defense and attack, as the Bafana formation differs from how they operate at 'Orlando Pirates.' Mosimane explained that Apollos knows that when Modiba drifts inside, he must stay on the flank. However, at 'Pirates,' Apollos plays shifted inside, whereas for the national team, he needs to adjust to match Modiba.
He added that at 'Pirates,' Apollos drifts inside while Deon Hotto comes in from the flank, but in the national team, he needs to remain wide on the flank instead of moving inside. Sometimes Selebele must drop back.
Mosimane's comments after the match sparked active debate on social media. Critics accused him of bias towards the 'Sundowns' playing style while ignoring the 'Pirates' system, which opponents argue promotes division among clubs instead of unity around the national team. However, the article's author maintains that such criticism is unfounded. Although Mosimane naturally prefers the system he created at 'Sundowns,' his approach is based on tactical logic that he developed many years ago and upon which the successes of subsequent coaches, including the current Miguel Cardoso, were built. Ultimately, the responsibility for game plans lies with Mosimane at Bafana Bafana, who develops strategies to neutralize the strengths of opponents, and the players must adapt to the requirements of the national team, not vice versa.