South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, is set to field a new-look team in a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night. Coach Pitso Mosimane has indicated that he will make wholesale changes to the team, giving young players a chance to gain experience. This comes after Bafana Bafana's recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier wins over Guinea and Eritrea.
Mosimane's decision to ring in changes is aimed at assessing the capabilities of young players at the international level. He mentioned that the team will comprise mainly players who saw little action or did not play at all against Guinea and Eritrea. Some of the players expected to start against Egypt include Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamani, Shandre Campbell, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, and Cassius Mailula.
Mosimane emphasized that the friendly game against Egypt is an opportunity for the young players to showcase their skills. He pleaded for patience and support for these youngsters, stating that the country must understand that the qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea are done. The coach highlighted the importance of building for the next Fifa World Cup and noted that if the young players are not given a chance now, it may be difficult to assess their potential.
The coach also mentioned that the friendly match against Egypt is a crucial opportunity for the young players to gain experience against a top-notch team. He acknowledged that Egypt is a big team, but noted that Bafana Bafana has nothing to lose. Mosimane expressed his intention to let the young players "swim with the sharks" and gain valuable experience.
Mosimane confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns midfield duo Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena will not be considered for the match due to injuries. This development may have influenced Mosimane's decision to give young players a chance to shine against Egypt.
The friendly match against Egypt is a significant opportunity for Bafana Bafana to prepare for future challenges. Mosimane stressed that the team does not have friendly games until the Africa Cup of Nations next year, making this match crucial for assessing the team's depth and potential.
The match against Egypt will provide valuable insights into the capabilities of Bafana Bafana's young players. Mosimane's approach to giving them a chance to play against a top team like Egypt will be closely watched by fans and critics alike. The outcome of the match will likely have implications for the team's future strategy and player selection.
Key points
- Coach Pitso Mosimane will make wholesale changes to the Bafana Bafana team for the friendly against Egypt.
- The match is an opportunity for young players to gain experience against a top-notch team.
- Mosimane confirmed that Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena will not be considered due to injuries.
