Mosimane: Bafana Don’t Have A Messi Yet!

(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Pitso Mosimane has made it clear that nobody in the current Bafana Bafana squad is guaranteed a place in his team based on reputation alone, insisting that South Africa are not yet in a position to accommodate players in the same way the world’s biggest football stars are.

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The new Bafana coach was addressing the media at Milpark Stadium, where he discussed the return of Lyle Foster and Mbekezeli Mbokazi after the duo missed his first national team camp through injury.

Both players are important figures in the national team setup, but Mosimane was quick to explain that their return does not automatically mean that they will walk back into the starting XI, particularly if other players have taken their opportunities in their absence.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach believes that players must earn and retain their places through performances, while those returning from injury must respect the work done by teammates who have stepped in.

In making his point, Mosimane referenced Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, explaining that their influence and consistent performances place them in a different category.

“It’s not that we’re paving ways for names. I have to be honest and give the boys a fair chance to play and to make them aware that if you work hard you will keep the jersey and also to make aware of anybody who comes that you’ve got to respect people who are playing well at that time in your position when you are not around.

“You’ve got to have the respect that you would have felt also when you were playing and then somebody else comes now and you’re playing well and then you must make way, right? We are not yet in a position where we have Lionel Messi as the boss of the team.

“You can say we have to make sure that we pave way because this guy is so much more influential than the other teams. Yes, [Kylian] Mbappe and them, they are influential in the team and week in, week out they are showing what they are and when they are fit and ready they are selected.

“You saw [Jude] Bellingham, he had injuries and all that but he went to the World Cup and he showed the coach that he deserves to be back and there’s no arguments in that space when you come and do what Bellingham did in the World Cup.”

Mosimane’s comments point to the standards he wants to establish during his second stint in charge of Bafana, with competition for places expected to be a central part of his approach.

Foster and Mbokazi will undoubtedly want to reclaim their places after returning to the fold, but the coach’s message is that neither reputation nor previous contributions will be enough to guarantee selection.

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