Mosimane demands greater cutting edge from Bafana Bafana against Kenya

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has called on his attackers to be more clinical when South Africa face Kenya in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Nairobi on Tuesday.

South Africa were held to a 2-2 draw by the Harambee Stars at Orlando Stadium on Friday, despite creating enough opportunities to win the match. Mosimane believes his side’s failure to convert those chances could prove costly in the remaining Group D fixtures.

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners, preferred to Lyle Foster to lead the attack, missed several opportunities against Kenya, including chances when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Shikhalo Faruk.

The result kept South Africa top of Group D, but their advantage was reduced after Guinea defeated Eritrea in Conakry on Thursday. Bafana Bafana have seven points from their campaign, while Guinea have six.

With three qualifiers still to play, Mosimane’s side cannot afford another loss of points. They return to action against Kenya on Tuesday, when Rayners and his fellow forwards will be expected to provide the goals needed to protect top spot.

Mosimane said he remained confident his players could respond in Nairobi, pointing to their experience in difficult qualifying campaigns.

“I think this team has got enough experience and character from the past to be able to deal with this. They have dealt with qualifying for the Fifa World Cup when three points were deducted,” he said.

“I think this team has got character, and they play well. They can be too good sometimes and too pretty, but they forgot about scoring goals even though we created chances.”

The coach said the number of opportunities created by South Africa was a positive sign, even though the finishing disappointed him.

“I am sad, and you can hear my voice. Do I want a team that doesn’t create chances and we hope for the best? No, I want a team that plays and creates many chances,” Mosimane said.

“Then we can work on taking the chances, unlike working on how we create the chances. The most difficult is how to play and how to create the chances.”

Mosimane rejected the idea that the problem was a technical one, saying the players needed to be stronger mentally in front of goal.

“It’s mental and never technique. When you face one vs one with the goalkeeper and we don’t take our chances, it’s very sad, but it’s part of football,” he said.

“It’s the story of football, and it’s never an easy story. If it’s easy, everyone can do it, but we move on, and we are still top of the log.”

Mosimane also warned that Kenya could adopt a cautious approach after securing a draw in Johannesburg.

“You can say that they have nothing to lose, but you saw how they went to the back five when they realised that they can get a point.”