Mosimane explains Kabini gamble after defender scores Bafana Bafana winner

Samukele Kabini made an immediate case for a regular place in Bafana Bafana after coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Guinea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The former TS Galaxy player replaced Aubrey Modiba in the second half after Modiba suffered a tight hamstring. Kabini then finished a move created by Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma to secure victory on his international debut.

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane had spoken to Kabini several times during the match, and said the defender’s physical strength influenced his decision to introduce him.

“I don’t want to take credit on those things because we as coaches, because there is a goal, we want to sound intelligent. But that’s my talk with him, I can’t tell you,” Mosimane told journalists.

“We are overloaded with the left backs. Basadien is good also, right? But he is playing at a good level Kabini. He needs to be given a chance.

“But why Kabini? He is physically bigger. He is a big boy, he is solid, he is strong, and you could see the players from Guinea are tall and strong.”

Kabini’s match-winning contribution turned his introduction into what Mosimane described as a fortunate development for the national side, while also giving the defender a memorable start to his international career.

Mosimane praises Sebelebele

Mosimane also highlighted the performance of Sebelebele, who was named man of the match despite facing a difficult opening period against his opponent.

“I was worried a bit with Sebelebele on set pieces, but it was like for like. The people he was marking are not very tall,” he said.

“He has got the speed to recover the ball and he is good on one versus ones. Okay, first half he had a little bit of a challenge because the guy has got some trickery, but he found him out and he managed to settle. He was man of the match.”

The coach said Kabini’s goal was evidence of the quality available in the domestic game, while rejecting the suggestion that his own intervention was responsible for the decisive moment.

“We have good local players who can match the European level. But it’s just coaching. It’s nothing special. I can’t say I made him (Kabini) to score,” Mosimane concluded.

Bafana Bafana travelled to Egypt immediately after their match against Guinea and arrived on Sunday ahead of their second Group D fixture against Eritrea this coming Wednesday.