Mosimane can give Bafana Bafana players freedom, says Lekgwathi

Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Lucky Lekgwathi believes Pitso Mosimane’s expected appointment as South Africa coach could help players express themselves more freely on the international stage.

The South African Football Association’s executive committee has endorsed Mosimane’s return as successor to Hugo Broos, with an official announcement expected soon. Bafana Bafana are preparing for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins over the coming months.

Lekgwathi says the presence of a local coach was important when he earned his first South Africa call-up and feels the current generation could benefit in the same way under Mosimane.

The former defender was initially selected by Shakes Mashaba, an experience he remembers as particularly positive because of the freedom he felt he was given to play his natural game.

“It’s good to have a local coach. I remember my first cap; Shakes Mashaba was the coach. You know, local coaches like to give you freedom to express yourself, compared to European coaches, where sometimes you are scared. You don’t want to express yourself, but with local coaches, they always give you freedom.

“You look at players like Rele (Mofokeng). People say he didn’t play, but I think the other reason was that the coach was from Europe. If he can get a local coach, he will show his talent. It was the same with me. I showed my talent because the coach was local,” Lekgwathi told the media at a Betway Clubhouse event in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

Lekgwathi also pointed to the difference in communication between players and coaches, saying local managers can make it easier for footballers to suggest tactical changes or discuss the way the team plays.

“It’s easy to communicate with a local coach. Even when I was at Pirates, having a European or a local coach, mostly you would go to the local coach to say, ‘we want to change the pattern and the system,’ and he would allow you. But for you to go ask a European coach, you would be scared, even as a captain. But it’s easy to ask a local coach. I think he deserves a chance. He needs our support.”

Mosimane faces challenge to match Broos’ achievements

Mosimane returns to the Bafana Bafana job with considerably more experience than he had during his first spell in charge of the national team.

That experience will be important as he faces pressure to build on the progress made under Broos. The Belgian guided South Africa to a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and led them beyond the group stage at the FIFA World Cup not long ago.

Lekgwathi believes Mosimane should be given the backing required to begin his second spell successfully, particularly as South Africa prepares for another demanding international cycle.

The former Orlando Pirates captain’s comments come as attention turns to the next stage of Bafana Bafana’s preparations and to the possibility of Mosimane working with a squad that includes emerging talents such as Relebohile Mofokeng.