‘Text Me If You Find One’: Mosimane Issues Plea Over Bafana Striker Crisis
Pitso Mosimane has admitted that Bafana Bafana lack experienced strikers despite having several attacking options, after his side began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a victory.
Mosimane took charge of Bafana for the first time in the AFCON qualifiers and saw his side beat Guinea 2-1 on Saturday, with defenders Ime Okon and Samukelo Kabini scoring the goals.
However, the performance once again highlighted concerns over the national team’s striking options, with Iqraam Rayners and Yanela Mbuthuma both failing to find the net.
Speaking after the match, Mosimane acknowledged that while Bafana have enough options in defence and midfield, the same cannot be said of the experience available in attack.
“It’s good, let’s have this, as I tell you. Let’s have three left-backs, three right-backs, three, five centre-backs, five midfielders,” he said.
“I wish I could say that with the strikers. I don’t really have that much, okay, in terms of experience. We have strikers, but in terms of experience.
“Unless you have somebody here. You can text me and make me aware.”
The lack of experienced goalscorers has also been a concern in the Betway Premiership, where foreign strikers Junior Dion and Lucas Ribeiro won the Golden Boot in the previous two seasons.
The trend has continued this season, with Zimbabwean striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya of AmaZulu currently leading the scoring charts.
During Hugo Broos’ five-year tenure with Bafana, the national team also regularly relied on wingers and other attacking players to contribute goals, while strikers such as Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster and Rayners struggled to score consistently.
Despite Rayners and Mbuthuma failing to score against Guinea, Mbuthuma made an important contribution by assisting Kabini’s winning goal.
Mosimane believes the assist can provide the 24-year-old with confidence ahead of Bafana’s next qualifier against Eritrea.
“I’m happy for Mbuthuma to make an assist,” he added.
“It’s good for his confidence.
“Yeah, I thought he’d convert the other one, the cross that came to, you know, just to put himself in the team properly. Yeah, but he came on, he fought.”
Bafana will face Eritrea in Egypt on Wednesday in their final AFCON qualifier of this FIFA international break.
Mosimane’s side will remain in Egypt after the Eritrea match, with Bafana scheduled to face the Pharaohs in Cairo on Sunday. Following that match, the players will return to their respective clubs.
