Mosimane urges patience with youngsters before South Africa face Egypt

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has called for patience and support for his inexperienced players before South Africa’s international break concludes against Egypt in Cairo on Sunday.

The match will see South Africa take on the seven-time African champions, with Mosimane expected to make changes to his team.

Mamelodi Sundowns players Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi will miss the game through injury.

“We are pleading for patience and support for them. They are breaking through and we need to see what we have in our ranks,” Mosimane said, as reported by SAFA.net.

“Unfortunately we have a big team, Egypt, that we have to play against on Sunday. The challenge is we have to let them swim with the sharks, but we’ve got nothing to lose.”

Mosimane said the fixture would provide an important opportunity to assess the younger members of his squad at international level, despite the strength of the opposition.

“It is a friendly game and we need to see what they are capable of at this level. So we plead for patience and support for these youngsters,” he added.

South Africa have already completed their qualifying matches against Guinea and Eritrea, meaning Mosimane believes the focus must now shift towards building a squad for the next FIFA World Cup.

“The country must understand that we have played the qualifiers, against Guinea and Eritrea, and we are done,” he said.

“That is the most important thing. It is important to build for the next FIFA World Cup and if we don’t put them in now, when are we going to see them?

“We do not have friendly games until the Africa Cup of Nations next year, so this is the only chance they have.”