Pitso Mosimane dismisses ‘Mbokazi factor’ after Bafana Bafana draw with Kenya

Pitso Mosimane rejected suggestions that Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s omission from the starting line-up contributed to South Africa’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Kenya.

Bafana Bafana surrendered a late equaliser against Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday.

The result leaves South Africa top of the group, but the dropped points have made their position less secure before Tuesday’s return fixture in Nairobi.

Mbokazi had returned from injury to be included in Mosimane’s squad for the two matches against Kenya. However, the coach selected Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya as his central defensive pairing.

The two players had also started together in Bafana’s opening two qualifying matches, helping the side concede only once. But both came under scrutiny during Friday’s match.

Okon has struggled for regular first-team football at German club Hannover 96, while Makhanya was involved in the defensive error that preceded Kenya’s late equaliser after failing to deal effectively with a ball.

Asked about the possible influence of what was described as the “Mbokazi factor” during his post-match news conference, Mosimane responded angrily.

“Oh, come on guys… you can’t go there, you don’t want me to lose respect for you. Now you choose who must play? We lost (drew) because of that, or we lost because we missed many chances? Come on, you can do better than what you say.

“And it is the right time to ask by the way, you are right,” Mosimane said, apparently sarcastically.

The Bafana Bafana coach instead highlighted his team’s failure to convert a series of opportunities, rather than focusing on the absence of the former Orlando Pirates defender.

Iqraam Rayners, Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster all had chances to score but were unable to take them. Relebohile Mofokeng also hit the woodwork before putting South Africa back in front deep into the second half.

That lead did not last, as Kenya scored again late on to secure a draw and frustrate the hosts.

Mosimane said the result underlined the importance of finishing chances, regardless of how much possession a team enjoys or how often it creates openings.

“Football tells you that it is not about ball possession or about how many chances you score. It is about how many chances you take,” he said.

“Kenya showed you don’t need many chances to cause an upset. The few chances they got, they used them.”

South Africa will attempt to respond when they face Kenya again in Nairobi on Tuesday. The outcome could have a significant impact on the direction of Group D.