Mahlangu: Mosimane, not Broos, laid Bafana Bafana’s foundations

Orlando Pirates legend Albert ‘Bashin’ Mahlangu has rejected claims that Hugo Broos built the foundations of the current Bafana Bafana team, arguing that Pitso Mosimane’s work at Sundowns was the basis for the national side’s recent strength.

Mosimane, who is now back in charge of Bafana Bafana, has faced criticism from people who believe he inherited a squad developed under Broos. Mahlangu, however, says that assessment overlooks the role Mosimane played in building the Sundowns team that supplies most of the national squad.

The former Pirates player also believes Broos initially overlooked several Sundowns players when he became Bafana Bafana head coach.

“I like the way Sundowns have made the standard of football in South Africa to be so high, I like the way they play football,” Mahlangu told KickOff.

“Pitso built Sundowns in such a way that today most of the players in the national team are from Sundowns. It’s Sundowns players that made Bafana Bafana strong.

“It’s Pitso who built the foundation of the Sundowns we see today. It’s Sundowns who built the Bafana we see today. So which foundation has Hugo Broos built for Bafana Bafana?”

Mahlangu said Broos inherited Sundowns players who were already performing at their highest level, rather than creating the core of the team himself.

“Hugo found Sundowns players at their best already. When he started his job at Bafana Bafana, initially Hugo Broos didn’t want the likes of Mshishi in his team? Some of them he labeled old. He was forced by South Africans to select them,” he said.

“Pitso built Bafana foundation, not Broos.”

Mahlangu expects Mosimane’s return to produce changes in the national team, particularly in terms of discipline and competition for places.

“Just wait and watch how things are gonna change in Bafana Bafana now that Pitso is back. The players will stop being ill-disciplined,” added the Pirates legend.

He pointed to the team Mosimane selected against Egypt as evidence that established players would not be guaranteed a place under the coach.

“Did you see the new team he played against Egypt? It tells you no player will own a position in Pitso’s team. Everybody must pull up their socks if Pitso is in charge,” Mahlangu said.