Quinton Fortune: Pitso Mosimane can take Bafana Bafana beyond Hugo Broos

Pitso Mosimane has the opportunity to build on Hugo Broos’s successful tenure as South Africa manager by combining tactical discipline with the attacking freedom traditionally associated with the country’s players, according to former Bafana Bafana international Quinton Fortune.

Broos officially left his post on 31 July, with the South African Football Association (SAFA) announcing Mosimane as his successor a week later. The speed of the appointment was notable, given that national-team managerial searches can often take months, and suggested Mosimane had been the governing body’s preferred candidate well before his arrival was made public.

Broos departs after five years in charge and leaves behind one of the most successful periods in Bafana Bafana’s recent history.

He guided South Africa to their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 2002, excluding their automatic place as hosts of the 2010 tournament. Under Broos, Bafana Bafana also reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time.

His side further secured third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa’s best finish in the competition since 2000.

Fortune believes, however, that Mosimane can improve one particular aspect of the team by ensuring South Africa’s natural flair is not restricted by a rigid tactical approach.

“Hugo Broos did such a good job, but there is one specific area where the next manager can improve,” Fortune told IOL in an exclusive interview, courtesy of Premier Bet.

Fortune, who represented South Africa during his playing career, said he had discussed the issue with former internationals Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena while covering the World Cup.

“I was fortunate to cover the World Cup with Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena, and we discussed how Hugo perhaps lacked a deep understanding of the South African football psychespecifically, the need to let players express their innate flair,” Fortune explained.

For Fortune, the challenge facing Mosimane is to preserve the organisation required at international level while giving players the confidence to express themselves.

“When I picture a South African footballer, I think of skill and natural ability first. You have to give them the confidence to express themselves, just like any top player in world football. At the same time, when you face international opposition, you must defend and attack as a unit. Every single player has to put a shift inunless you’re Lionel Messi, but that’s a different story. Striking that balance between structure and freedom is the real challenge.”

Mosimane now takes charge with Bafana Bafana having recently enjoyed a period of progress under Broos, but Fortune believes the new manager should aim beyond simply securing qualification for major tournaments.

“I just want Bafana to succeednot just to qualify for major tournaments, but to target quarter-finals, semi-finals, and beyond. Achieving that level of success will take meticulous planning.”

The former South Africa international remains confident that Mosimane can build on Broos’s achievements and help the national team reach a higher level, provided he manages to unite tactical structure with the individual qualities of his players.

Michael Sherman IOL Sport