Mosimane challenges journalist over Mbokazi question after Kenya draw

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane reacted angrily when asked why Mbekezeli Mbokazi was not selected in the starting line-up for the 2-2 draw with Kenya.

South Africa surrendered two valuable points after Ryan Ogam scored a late equaliser for Benni McCarthy’s Kenya, prompting questions about Mosimane’s decision to leave Mbokazi on the bench.

Mosimane had retained the centre-back pairing of Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon, who had started the team’s first two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mbokazi, who had returned to the squad, was named among the substitutes.

When questioned about the selection after the match, Mosimane rejected the suggestion that Mbokazi’s absence was responsible for Bafana Bafana failing to win.

“Ahh come on guys, you can’t go there,” he replied.

“Come on, you don’t want me to lose respect of you. You can’t go there.

“Now you choose who must play. So we lost because of that or we lost because we missed many chances, come on.

“You can better than what you’re saying, right?

“It’s the right time to ask by the way, you are right…”

The draw against Kenya left Mosimane’s side frustrated after they had been unable to hold on for victory, with Ogam’s late goal ensuring McCarthy’s team earned a point.

Mosimane’s decision to continue with Makhanya and Okon at the centre of defence meant Mbokazi did not feature despite his return to the Bafana Bafana squad. The coach insisted, however, that the result was more closely linked to his side’s failure to convert its chances than to the defender’s omission.