Owen da Gama urges South Africa fans to give Pitso Mosimane time

Former Bafana Bafana coach Owen da Gama has called on South African supporters to give Pitso Mosimane the same consideration they showed Belgian coach Hugo Broos, saying the national team manager must be allowed to establish his own approach.

Mosimane has faced criticism from some fans who believe he is trying to accommodate his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns, by favouring their players and adopting their style of play.

“I just feel sometimes we are being unfair to Pitso because he’s a South African,” Da Gama told KICK OFF.

“There are a lot of other things Hugo Broos did and changes he made that people overlooked. We need to understand that Pitso has got to do things his way. He needs a chance. I mean, it was his first game.”

Da Gama, who previously coached Orlando Pirates, said Mosimane’s understanding of South African football should count in his favour and that he needed the backing of supporters.

“We can’t criticise everything he says or does,” Da Gama said.

“Yes, there are questions that have got to be asked, but they have got to be constructive and objective. He didn’t have much time with the players. There are different coaches at Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, and they all play different types of football.”

‘He is one of our own’

Da Gama said the different tactical approaches used by South African clubs meant Mosimane needed time to bring the national squad together under one footballing identity.

“Players move from South Africa abroad, and they adapt to their new ways of playing without a problem. It’s a different coach, a different culture. So, it’s the national team and the national team is a different culture. It’s the highest level of football; it’s international football.”

He also urged both the players and supporters to understand the demands of international football, adjust to the coach’s methods and offer him their full support.

Da Gama believes Mosimane’s nationality should not be held against him and argued that local coaches have historically achieved what international managers have not at the World Cup.

“He is one of our own, and if you look at history, there’s no international coach who has won the FIFA World Cup. It’s only the locals.”