Mosimane hails Bafana newcomers after Egypt win: ‘They swam with the sharks’

Pitso Mosimane praised South Africa’s inexperienced players after they delivered a 1-0 victory over Egypt in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.

Puso Dithejane scored the only goal of the match, finishing brilliantly after Shandre Campbell sent a precise delivery into the penalty area in the 50th minute.

Mosimane made nine changes to the side that had previously dominated in qualifying matches, using the fixture to test the depth of his squad against strong continental opposition.

Senior players including Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis were rested, while several fringe players were given an opportunity to establish themselves at international level.

Lebone Seema, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi and Fawaaz Basadien were handed rare starts in defence. Campbell and Dithejane were introduced into the attack, while Olwethu Makhanya was later moved into midfield because of injuries in that area.

Sipho Chaine was selected in goal ahead of Ricardo Goss and helped South Africa secure a clean sheet in a demanding away fixture.

Mosimane: ‘I let them swim with the sharks’

Mosimane admitted that South Africa struggled to settle after making so many changes, but was pleased with the way the younger players responded as the match progressed.

“I let them swim with the sharks, threw them in the deep end. Yeah, they swam, hey?” Mosimane said after the game.

“It was a little bit difficult. You see, the first five minutes, we could not find our feet. It’s normal because we brought the younger ones. We changed the whole team,” he added, according to SAFA media.

“As the game progressed, we started to gain confidence, but what I like is that they are not afraid to play, and we need to give them a chance. I let them swim with the sharks, throw them in the deep end, and they swam.”

Mosimane also singled out the defensive performances of the players who came into the starting line-up.

“Seema, big game he played. We have to put Ndamane there. Matuludi has been there, and it’s also good to bring back Basadien,” he said.

The Bafana Bafana head coach explained that injuries forced him to find a temporary solution in midfield, while Egypt’s approach had been anticipated during preparations.

“We were a little bit thin in the midfield. I had to play Makhanya in the midfield at the end, but it’s part of football; you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Mosimane said.

“We were under a lot of pressure, more balls in our box, crosses. But I know Egyptian football, so we prepared a lot, because a ball will always come from the fullbacks.”

The win is expected to improve South Africa’s position in the next FIFA world rankings.

Bafana Bafana will return to action during the next international window, facing Kenya in a double-header on 13 and 17 November 2026. Mosimane will now look to build on the Cairo result as South Africa develops its team for the future.