Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is set to give South Africa's rising stars a chance to shine in a crucial trial by fire against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday. Mosimane has enjoyed a fruitful first international window as Bafana coach, winning his opening two games against Guinea and Eritrea in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. He has since remained with the team in Egypt, preparing for the friendly match against the hosts.
Mosimane's return to Egypt has been emotional, with a visit to his old club, Al Ahly, where he enjoyed immense success during a trophy-laden two-year tenure. However, he insists he will not let sentiment get in the way of the team's development. Mosimane will rotate his squad, giving fringe players, newcomers, and returnees a chance to showcase their skills. He urged Bafana fans to be patient and supportive of the young players.
Goalkeepers Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss are expected to see action, as well as outfield players Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamani, Shandre Campbell, Puso Dithejane, and Tashreeq Matthews. Mosimane will be without the injured duo of Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena, who sustained knocks against Eritrea and Guinea, respectively. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the clash with the Pharaohs.
Mosimane emphasized that the friendly game is an opportunity to expand his pool of trusted personnel and build for the next FIFA World Cup. He stressed that the country must understand that the qualifiers are done, and it's time to focus on building for the future. Mosimane believes that if they don't give young players a chance now, they will miss the opportunity.
The friendly match against Egypt is a significant challenge for Bafana Bafana, as they face the dominant force of African football, the seven-time AFCON champions. However, Mosimane is not fazed, maintaining that the team has nothing to lose. He wants to see what his young players are capable of at this level and is pleading for patience and support from the fans.
Mosimane's approach has been defended by some, including Hlompho Kekana, who recently spoke out against criticism of Mosimane's tactics. The team's recent performances have been encouraging, with a win over Guinea and a 5-0 victory over Eritrea. Mosimane is keen to build on this momentum and establish his blueprint for the team.
The friendly match against Egypt will provide valuable experience for Bafana Bafana's young players, who will be looking to make a statement and stake their claim for future selection. Mosimane's emphasis on patience and support for the young players is a clear indication of his commitment to building a strong team for the future. The match is set to kick off at 6 pm on Sunday at the Cairo International Stadium.
Key points
- Mosimane to give fringe players a chance against Egypt
- Bafana Bafana face Egypt in a friendly match on Sunday
- Mosimane urges patience and support for young players
