Pitso Welcomes TLB, But Issues Bafana Remin…

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has returned to the national team. Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

Pitso Mosimane has welcomed Mbekezeli ‘TLB’ Mbokazi back into the Bafana Bafana fold, describing the defender as a player with a good mentality and energy, while making it clear that nobody is guaranteed a place in the team.

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Mbokazi missed Mosimane’s first camp after suffering an injury, but has returned to the national team setup ahead of the upcoming African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Kenya at Orlando Stadium.

The Bafana coach was asked about his first interactions with the Chicago Fire defender, particularly his impressions of him as a person rather than his qualities on the pitch.

“No, good boy, good player, wants to play. Good mentality, good energy,” Mosimane said.

The coach also highlighted the commitment required from players based overseas, pointing to the long journeys some of them make to join the national team and the need to integrate quickly into the group.

“From what I saw on the games, the MLS players travel for one and a half days to be here. Time differences, and we don’t adjust our time to their time, because we are a group and they just come in and gel in properly. The MLS boys are focused, they show they come from a good environment.”

Mosimane explained that players returning from injury or previous absences must be given an opportunity, but stressed that their return cannot come at the expense of those who have been part of the squad and delivered results.

Only Good As Your Last Game

“We got talent back from injuries, so we also have to give him an opportunity to be with this group, because there was never a problem when he was around. So are the others, so is Lyle, so is Mbokazi, so is all these guys who were not around here, but they played well in the World Cup. So we need to give them an opportunity, but everyone knows that, as I said, you’re only as good as your last game.”

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Mosimane also acknowledged the importance of having enough depth, especially with injuries making it difficult to consistently call on the same group of players.

He used the situation to underline that Bafana Bafana must operate as a national squad with a wider pool of talent, rather than relying on a handful of individuals.

South African player pool

“If you are injured, we need to have somebody to play in your position. And also we need to encourage those who come and play to say, when those who are playing were on the pitch, the others were not playing.

“So when you are not coming back and the others are playing, you’ve got to be able to have the right mentality and understand what’s been happening, because otherwise then we don’t look at this thing right.”

“It means we’re saying, it’s better we lose when other people are not playing. No, everyone is in the national team and we have a pool of players to choose from. We choose from the whole country. So I can’t say I don’t have a certain player. Yes, the quality might not be the same, but we have the country to choose from.”

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