New Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has expressed his surprise at the significant number of Mamelodi Sundowns players in his 30-man squad. Mosimane revealed that he was shocked to discover that Sundowns have 13 representatives in his squad, while Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates have six players selected for the upcoming international window. This imbalance means that the two dominant forces in South African football make up more than half of Mosimane's squad.
Mosimane insists that the numbers are simply a reflection of where he believes the best players are currently playing. He pointed to Sundowns' recent success as another factor, with the Tshwane giants having won the African-Asian-Pacific Cup last weekend and currently sitting at the top of the domestic standings. Mosimane's comments suggest that he is not eager to artificially change the concentration of players from one club.
The concentration of players from Sundowns is particularly striking given the depth of talent at other leading clubs. Orlando Pirates provide the second-largest contingent in the squad with six players. Mosimane's selection also comes at a time when Sundowns are enjoying a strong start to the season after dominating South African football in recent years.
For Mosimane, club affiliation appears to have taken a back seat to his assessment of individual players. He mentioned that he chose players based on their skills, citing Aubrey and Basadien as examples of top players from Sundowns. Mosimane emphasized that his focus is on selecting the best players, regardless of their club.
Mosimane acknowledged that Bafana could potentially benefit from having players spread across more of the country's leading clubs. However, he stated that he is not here to "shake the tree" and that he found the squad composition as it is. Mosimane's approach has raised questions about the potential benefits of having a more balanced squad.
The first test of Mosimane's approach comes on September 26, when Bafana host Guinea at Orlando Stadium in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. They will then face Eritrea in Egypt on September 30 before playing the Pharaohs in a friendly on October 4. These matches will provide an opportunity for Mosimane to assess his squad and make any necessary adjustments.
Mosimane's tenure as Bafana coach has gotten off to a busy start, with the team facing a series of important matches. His selection of players has been closely watched, and his comments on the Sundowns dominance in the squad have sparked debate among fans and pundits. As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, Mosimane will be looking to get the best out of his players and achieve success.
Key points
- Mosimane's Bafana squad features 13 players from Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Sundowns' recent success may have contributed to Mosimane's selection of players.
- Mosimane prioritizes individual player assessment over club affiliation.
