“Don’t Be Comfortable”: Mosimane Demands Makhanya To Push Bafana Regulars
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has challenged Olwethu Makhanya to fight for a starting spot in the national team after his strong start to life at Glasgow Rangers.
The 22-year-old defender is currently playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership and has featured in almost all of the club’s matches since joining during the off-season from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia.
Makhanya was unlucky to see his goal ruled out in Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Glasgow Celtic in the Glasgow Derby on Sunday before travelling to South Africa to join the Bafana Bafana camp.
The Stellenbosch academy product made his Bafana debut in a FIFA World Cup preparation friendly against Nicaragua in May. However, he is still waiting to make his official competitive debut for the national team.
Makhanya was part of Bafana’s squad at the World Cup but did not make an appearance, remaining on the bench for all of the matches.
Now, with Bafana preparing for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, Mosimane has challenged Makhanya to put pressure on the players currently ahead of him and show that he deserves an opportunity.
“If you understand, if you follow football properly, you don’t play the Glasgow Derby if you don’t have the mental capacity, even when we talk about talent, right?” Mosimane said.
“It’s a big stage, and when you play it away, this time last week it was at home.
“And yeah, I thought the goal he scored would be allowed. It’s what I crack up about, but unfortunately, the ball hit the hand before. It’s unfortunate, you know?
“So yes, he’s raising his hand to say, ‘Yeah, I want to play also. You know, I respect that Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been great and has done exceptionally well. Yeah, I’m playing in Europe. I’m playing for a big team, right? So I also deserve an opportunity.’
“And let the games speak. Let the games speak.
“I think we are under pressure as coaches, right? So let the players be under pressure, because the minute you don’t have a Luther Singh behind the players, you don’t have a Makhanya behind there, really. If you don’t have Puso Dithejane behind Thapelo Maseko, that’s when we start to be relaxed.
“Let’s all not be in the comfort zone. Let’s all push and let’s all have enough players for the country.”
Makhanya will now be hoping to turn his impressive start at Rangers into an opportunity with Bafana when South Africa begin their AFCON qualifying campaign during this international break.
Bafana will face Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday in their first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier before travelling to Egypt to play Eritrea next Wednesday in their final qualifier of the international break.
The two matches could give Makhanya an opportunity to make his competitive debut for Bafana after being involved with the national team at the World Cup without making an appearance.
With Mosimane calling on players to challenge those ahead of them, Makhanya will be looking to make the most of his opportunity and push for a starting spot in Bafana.
