Mosimane praises Bafana Bafana’s adaptability after Guinea victory

Pitso Mosimane praised South Africa’s willingness to adapt after beginning his second spell as Bafana Bafana coach with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener at Orlando Stadium.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach made three changes to the side that lost to Canada in the World Cup last-32 in Los Angeles in June and July. His team took the lead through Ime Okon in the 30th minute before Seydouba Cisse equalised for Paolo Duarte’s physical Guinea in the 69th minute. Substitute Samukele Kabini then scored a powerful 77th-minute winner.

Kamogelo Sebelebele, earning his fourth international cap, was named man of the match after a disciplined display at right-back. Unlike his usual attacking role for Orlando Pirates, he was instructed not to overlap excessively because of Guinea’s threat.

Olwethu Makhanya took advantage of Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s injury to start at centre-back and helped contain Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. Relebohile Mofokeng impressed after his move into European club football with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Iqraam Rayners worked hard from the front.

Aubrey Modiba moved into a playmaker’s position, with Oswin Appollis told to remain wide rather than cut inside as he often does for Pirates and Bafana Bafana. Yanele Mbuthuma also provided an assist after coming off the bench.

“We got many free-kicks and many corners in the first half and you don’t get that if you don’t create opportunities,” Mosimane said. “But you know the South African challenge we don’t score easily. You score two out of six, maybe.

“But we can’t complain with the boys. They had the right mentality, they want to play, they fight and they press. And we create opportunities.”

Mosimane said Guinea’s attackers had tested his defence, particularly Aliou Balde and substitute Lamine Diaby-Fadiga, but praised Makhanya and Okon for dealing with Guirassy.

“I’m happy for Makhanya to have started,” he added. “He was not getting that chance because, of course [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi has been playing. But that’s good let’s create some opportunities.”

Explaining Sebelebele’s more conservative role, Mosimane said: “We’ve got more than defenders who just overlap. Sebelebele, normally at Pirates you know where he is he’s always up there at the end of the attack. But not today, this was not the game for him to be doing that.”

Mosimane also asked Modiba to operate centrally as an inverted full-back, telling Appollis to hold the width. “This is the national team. He has to accommodate Modiba,” he said.

The coach, who named a 30-player squad for the camp, now faces Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday at 18:00 SA time. Victory would strengthen Bafana’s position in the qualifying group before a friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, when Mosimane can experiment further.

“It’s a good start,” he said. “Let’s keep our feet on the ground and not get too excited because it’s only the first game.”