Pitso Mosimane explains Samukele Kabini decision after Guinea winner

Pitso Mosimane has explained why he selected Samukele Kabini ahead of Fawaaz Basadien during Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Kabini, 22, came off the bench in the second half at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, replacing the injured Aubrey Modiba at left-back.

The Norway-based defender scored the winning goal in his first appearance on the scoresheet for the national team, helping Bafana Bafana start Group D with three points and move to the top of the section.

Mosimane said the discussion he had with Kabini before introducing him would remain private. However, the coach explained that the former TS Galaxy player deserved an opportunity because he is already competing at the highest level.

“I don’t want to take credit on those things because we coaches sometimes because there’s a goal and we want to sound intelligent,” said Mosimane.

“But that’s my talk with him I can’t tell you. We’re overloaded also with the left-backs. Basadien is good also, right, but he’s playing at the good level, Kabini.”

The coach said Kabini’s physical attributes had also influenced his decision, particularly against a Guinea side featuring tall and powerful players.

“He needs to be given a chance. But why Kabini he is physically bigger, he’s a big boy, he’s a solid boy, strong, and you could see the players from Guinea are big boys, tall, strong,” Mosimane added.

Kabini’s regular exposure to demanding matches in Norway was another factor behind his selection, according to Mosimane.

“I guess the confidence of the area that he’s playing in. He’s playing every day in those spaces,” he said.

The Bafana Bafana coach acknowledged that South Africa has several capable domestic players, but suggested Kabini’s experience at European level had prepared him for the physical demands of the qualifier.

“We have good local players who can match, this is high level. This is European stuff that he’s been playing against,” said Mosimane.

Despite Kabini’s decisive contribution, Mosimane played down his own role in the goal and said the outcome was the result of coaching rather than any special intervention.

“But it’s just coaching there’s nothing special. I can’t say that I made him to score the goal, no.”