Mosimane Demands Win And Manages Dithejane Expectations

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has called for maximum points against Guinea while warning South Africa not to underestimate Eritrea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

Bafana will face Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday in Mosimane’s first official match since returning to the national team after replacing Belgian coach Hugo Broos.

South Africa are in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya, with Kenya already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the co-hosts.

Given the importance of Saturday’s opening qualifier, Mosimane wants his team to make a strong start to the campaign by collecting all three points against Guinea before travelling to Egypt to face Eritrea on Wednesday.

“We have to try to get the three points and win because Guinea is the main rivalry; we all know that,” he said.

“You don’t want to face Guinea head-to-head, and we don’t have an advantage, right? Whether Kenya wins or not, they’re in the Cup of Nations, and Eritrea, you don’t know.

“What if Eritrea is like Cape Verde, who held Spain to a draw in the World Cup? So be very careful about looking at the country rather than what is on the table.

“And I think you’ve done your research. You can see where the players of Eritrea play. So it’s not Eritrea as Eritrea, and Cabo Verde against Spain was not Cabo Verde as Cabo Verde, with 70,000 people, 700,000 population, right?”

Mosimane also addressed the expectations surrounding Puso Dithejane, who has earned his first Bafana Bafana call-up after impressing in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire.

The young attacker has attracted attention with his performances in the United States, but Mosimane stressed that being young does not automatically guarantee a place in the national team.

The Bafana coach believes Dithejane must prove that he deserves to remain part of the squad and compete for playing opportunities.

“We should also manage expectations on him,” he added.

“He has to understand that he has to earn the space, and he has to show that. It’s not calling players because they are young and trying to show that you’re calling young players.

“They have to play, and they have to show that they deserve to be in the team. If they have age on their side, it’s an advantage.”

For Dithejane, the upcoming qualifiers provide an opportunity to show that his club form can translate to the international stage, but Mosimane has made it clear that selection alone is not enough.