Mosimane says pressure is part of the job before Guinea qualifier

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane says pressure is unavoidable at international level as South Africa prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea.

Guinea coach Paulo Duarte did not attend Friday’s pre-match news conference at Orlando Stadium, instead sending third assistant coach Mamadouba Sylla to speak to the media.

The decision disappointed the South African journalists who had gathered at the venue. Duarte is under increased scrutiny after Guinea failed to qualify for the previous Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and have gone four matches without a win in their recent friendlies.

Mosimane said he understood the position the Portuguese coach found himself in, insisting that pressure was an inherent part of managing a national team.

“I don’t think there’s any coach who is not under pressure at this level, we’re all under pressure, internationally, in Europe, I mean the minute you don’t feel the pressure, arrogance and complacency creeps in, yes there’s pressure,” Mosimane said.

He added that expectations around results were unavoidable for coaches working with national sides.

“We have to understand that this is part of the package of being a coach at national level, there’s expectations, results are expected but we have to live with the pressure.

“Otherwise we would not be here. I understand what you’re saying about the other coach. I guess we feel the same pressure in the group, Benni (McCarthy) also feels the pressure,” Mosimane said.

“So ja it’s part of the game, it’s normal,” the veteran coach added.

Bafana Bafana will face Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon in their opening Group D fixture. Kenya and Eritrea are the other teams in the section.

Only the group winners will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations because The Harambee Stars are among the co-hosts of the tournament.

A team finishing second in the group can also qualify, but only if Benni McCarthy’s charges finish at the top of the section once the round-robin campaign is complete.

The match comes as Mosimane continues to deal with the demands surrounding the national team, while Guinea attempt to recover from a disappointing run of results and their absence from the previous continental finals.

Both sides therefore begin the qualifying campaign with clear pressure on them: South Africa must make a strong start at home, while Guinea seek a result that would ease concerns after their recent struggles.