Pitso Mosimane backs Bafana Bafana to respond against Kenya

Pitso Mosimane is confident Bafana Bafana can draw on their “character” when they face Kenya in a crucial Afcon qualifier at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday (6pm SA time).

South Africa were held to a 2-2 draw by Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, leaving Mosimane’s side needing to recover quickly as they attempt to maintain their position at the top of Group D.

Despite dropping points at home, Bafana Bafana remain leaders, one point ahead of Guinea. Kenya have already qualified for next year’s Afcon as co-hosts alongside fellow Pamoja nations Tanzania and Uganda, meaning only one team from Group D will qualify alongside them.

Mosimane believes the experience of overcoming previous setbacks will help his squad deal with the pressure of the return fixture.

“I think this team has enough character from the past to deal with something like this,” Mosimane said.

The coach pointed to Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifying campaign, when they continued despite being deducted three points after fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year.

“They dealt with qualifying for the World Cup even though they were deducted three points [for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Polokwane in March last year]. I can deal with that they have character.”

Mosimane has stressed that South Africa still control their own prospects in Group D, although he acknowledged that the draw with Kenya had made their route to qualification more difficult.

The result has left Bafana Bafana needing to protect the advantage they built at the top of the standings, rather than allowing Guinea to overtake them.

“I think we want to qualify the hard way. I think we want it the hard way. But for me, it’s to stay where we are on the log and finish where we are on the log,” Mosimane said.

He described the home draw as disappointing but said Tuesday’s match would provide a test of the squad’s resilience.

“So, it’s still in our hands, but it’s sad. It’s bitter, but it’s part of the game. Now we can see the character we have in the team. Can we fight? Can we stay where we are? Because we have worked hard to be where we are and with the centre-backs you might not like. But we are where we are.”