Pitso Mosimane backs Bafana Bafana character to respond against Kenya

Pitso Mosimane believes Bafana Bafana have the character required to recover from their home draw with Kenya and maintain their lead in Afcon qualifying when the sides meet again on Tuesday.

South Africa face Kenya at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi at 6pm SA time, four days after being held to a 2-2 draw at Orlando Amstel Arena.

Despite dropping two points, Bafana remain top of Group D and lead Guinea by one point. Kenya have already qualified for next year’s Afcon as co-hosts alongside fellow Pamoja nations Tanzania and Uganda, meaning only one team from Group D will qualify.

Mosimane said South Africa’s previous experience of overcoming setbacks would help them in the return fixture.

“I think this team has enough character from the past to deal with something like this,” Mosimane said.

The coach pointed to the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign, when Bafana managed to qualify despite being deducted three points for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year.

“They dealt with qualifying for the World Cup even though they were deducted three points [for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year]. I can deal with that they have character.”

Mosimane also stressed that South Africa’s position at the top of the group remained under their control, although he acknowledged that the draw had made their task more difficult.

“I think we want to qualify the hard way. I think we want it the hard way. But for me, it’s to stay where we are on the log and finish where we are on the log,” Mosimane said.

The result in South Africa means Bafana must now protect their narrow advantage in Nairobi, with Kenya seeking to build on the performance that earned them a point away from home.

Mosimane said the immediate challenge was to show whether his side could respond under pressure and retain the position they had worked to achieve.

“So, it’s still in our hands, but it’s sad. It’s bitter, but it’s part of the game. Now we can see the character we have in the team. Can we fight? Can we stay where we are? Because we have worked hard to be where we are and with the centre-backs you might not like. But we are where we are.”