Delayed Reunion: Lebohang Maboe misses Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana recall

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Lebohang Maboe has been Pitso Mosimane’s go-to guy. That’s why his withdrawal from Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana squad after his re-appointment has delayed one of the best reunions in local football.

Maboe picked up an ankle injury during Kaizer Chiefs’ goalless draw with Golden Arrows on Sunday. He still reported for camp on Monday, sitting out training while awaiting medical results before eventually being replaced by Orlando Pirates’ Tshepang Moremi.

Having also missed out on the Bafana World Cup, his recent setback must have stung even more, adding salt to the wound. After all, Maboe must have undoubtedly looked forward to representing the country and working with Mosimane once again.

“He has worked hard to be at Bafana. He should be disappointed with the injury,” said Mosimane regarding Maboe’s injury prior to his replacement. “No one kicked him. But sometimes that’s football. Let’s hope Lebo recovers and goes for it.”

Maboe’s Sundowns bond with Mosimane

The pair built an impressive working and father-son relationship at Mamelodi Sundowns, winning a host of titles together, including the league championship. Maboe’s dynamism, work rate, and game reading allowed him to boss the midfield.

His exploits aided the team both domestically and continentally. When Maboe hit a goal drought during the second half of the 2019/20 season at Sundowns, Mosimane staunchly came to his defence.

“He was our top goal scorer last season, and he’s stressing this season, trying to score,” Mosimane said at the time. “He’s trying too hard to score and break the ice. I don’t have a problem with a boy who tries to score.

“His emotions are very high. His anxiety is so big in front of goal. Sometimes, the ball falls on his left foot, not his right foot. In the first half, it fell on his right. We’ll support him; he works hard. That’s why he’s in the starting lineup. It takes time. He’ll get there, maybe not this year; maybe next year.”

November return possible for Maboe

Maboe duly repaid Mosimane’s faith that same season, scoring a hat-trick to clinch the league title for Sundowns on the final day of the COVID-19-interrupted campaign – a feat that stunned log leaders Chiefs, the club he has since rejoined after developing in their youth ranks.

Returning to Bafana would not only have been rewarding for Maboe, but it would have further heightened competition in a deep midfield featuring Teboho Mokoena, Siphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Having someone like Maboe at his disposal would have bolstered Mosimane’s goal of relying on players with both form and a wealth of experience in a team striking a balance between youth and veteran leadership.

Not all is lost, however. Bafana will reassemble for camp in November as they continue their bid to qualify for the continental showpiece in the East Africa Pamoja region next year. By then, Maboe will hopefully have worked his way back to full fitness and form at Chiefs, aiming to rekindle one of local football’s most efficient partnerships.