Seasoned trainer Pitso Mosimane has explained why South Africa has struggled to produce world-class players in recent times.
South Africa previously boasted of highly-profiled players like Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar, who made a strong representation in the English Premier League.
Benni McCarthy featured for West Ham United whiles Steven Pienaar had stints with Everton and Tottenham Hotspurs before retirement.
In recent times, South Africa has struggled to produce top players, forcing the former Al Ahly tactician to address the situation.
Mosimane emphasized that while football development is often discussed, the actual implementation is lacking. Having coached at the highest level, including in the FIFA Club World Cup, he has identified gaps in player development that keep local talents from reaching elite European leagues.
“I’ve coached against Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kante. The real challenge in South Africa is why we don’t have players in those spaces.” He told eNCA in an interview.
“We discuss development, but we don’t address how to get there. It all comes down to positioning, ball control, and decision-making—skills that distinguish superstars like Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Neymar.
Mosimane also stressed the importance of physical conditioning, nutrition, and mental strength. “Speed, endurance, and mentality matter. It’s not about size—Rodrygo and Relebohile Mofokeng are similar in build, yet one plays at the highest level. We lack a winning culture.”
Bafana Bafana last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2002, but clinched a bronze medal during the 2023 AFCON tournament.
