Warning to Pirates & Sundowns stars: Chiefs to benefit after Mosimane appointment?

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has indirectly sent a warning to Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Orlando Pirates stars who have been dominating the national team.

‘Jingles’ was confirmed as the South Africa coach on Tuesday, succeeding Hugo Broos, who opted to retire after serving Mzansi for five years. During that time, Bafana Bafana played two Africa Cup of Nations, winning bronze in the 2023 edition.

The former Masandawana coach is committed to giving other players a chance, especially youngsters, which might see Kaizer Chiefs stars like Mfundo Vilakazi, Thabo Moloisane, Luke Baartman, among others getting their chance.

But the 62-year-old has made it clear that he is not keen on making big changes to the team ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Bafana Bafana are in Group D alongside Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.

What is coming from Mosimane?

“I’m not carrying the biggest broom to sweep here. We have a very good foundation of a team that went to the World Cup. Yeah, it’s mixed with about five injuries, major injuries that they won’t be available. I think you know the names of the people who are not going to be available. So, we need to replace those, but it’s very important. There’s no time,” he said during his unveiling.

“We just have to replace those players who are out injured, and also at the same time, there are a few emerging talents, players who are doing exceptionally well abroad. We know about them; we’re looking into that. But the main focus is the two qualifiers, and we have a friendly game that we can use to give other players a chance who have not been able to play.

“I mean, we have players like [Samkelo] Kabini; they have never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also, and they are part of the team. They were in the World Cup; they didn’t get a chance to play, but we also have a team that you and I know very well that has to lead us to qualify for the AFCON, but in the process we will give opportunities to other players.

“Fortunately, there’s a friendly game behind the two qualifiers, so hopefully we see those players playing because you also want to see some of those players who were at the World Cup and never had a chance to play or who maybe played one game, a friendly game,” Mosimane concluded.