Mosimane backs Appollis selection as he dismisses fatigue concerns

Pitso Mosimane says fatigue will not influence his selection decisions as South Africa prepare to face Kenya in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Bafana Bafana coach was responding to comments from Abdeslam Ouaddou, who said Orlando Pirates forward Oswin Appollis was “not a robot” while discussing the player’s workload.

Appollis has started only four of the nine Betway Premiership matches he has played for Orlando Pirates this season, prompting questions about his slow start to the campaign and whether his minutes have been managed to prevent fatigue.

Mosimane, however, says his only priority is selecting the players he believes are performing well enough, based on what he sees in training.

Appollis is included in the latest Bafana Bafana squad for the two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya, with the first meeting taking place tonight at Orlando Amstel Arena.

“We play once in two months. There is no fatigue with us, right? So, fatigue is not for me to manage it, right?” Mosimane told the media.

“For me, it’s to choose the best player who is around and who is available, okay. I don’t overtrain, I don’t de-train the team. I just say who is available and who is good for the country (and then) I use them, okay.”

Mosimane also appeared to distance himself from some of the discussion around his squad, adding: “I hear that you are in press conferences a lot. Some I don’t listen to.”

Mosimane wary of Kenya threat

The South Africa coach said he had no injury concerns in the squad during the week and would therefore have a full group available for the match.

That could give Appollis a strong opportunity to start against a Kenya side Mosimane believes may pose a particular challenge because it has already secured qualification.

“The Kenya game is tricky because you are playing against a team that has nothing to lose. They have already qualified,” he said.

Mosimane warned that Kenya’s position could make them difficult opponents, as freedom from pressure may allow them to play without fear.

“When you play against a team that has nothing to lose, that creates a lack of fearness and frustrating us not to be able to get a goal,” he added.