Pitso Mosimane hails Bafana Bafana youngsters after Egypt victory

Pitso Mosimane described his first international camp as a success after Bafana Bafana completed three consecutive victories and all 30 players in his squad were given game time.

South Africa followed qualifying wins over Guinea and Eritrea with a 1-0 friendly victory against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Thursday night.

Puso Dithejane, the US-based attacker, scored the only goal on his international debut to secure the result.

Mosimane made sweeping changes to his side for the match but said his players grew into the contest after an uncertain start.

“Those first five minutes were difficult because we could not find our feet,” Mosimane said. “That is normal because we brought in the younger players and changed the whole team.

“It takes a lot of time to gel, but as the game progressed they gained confidence. I let them swim with the sharks and threw them in at the deep end – they swam.

“It is good to see Shandre, Puso and all the young players. Seema played a big game, while we also brought in Ndamane and Matuludi, who has been there before. It was also good to bring back Basadien because he has been part of the national team.”

South Africa were short of options in midfield by the closing stages, with Mosimane moving Makhanya into the area as the match went on.

“I had to play Makhanya in midfield at the end, but that is part of football,” he said. “You have to do what you have to do.”

Seema earns praise

Mosimane singled out Orlando Pirates centre-back Lebone Seema, who made his first start for Bafana Bafana, after he helped contain Egypt forward Omar Marmoush.

Marmoush, who plays for Manchester City, posed a significant threat with his pace, but Mosimane said Seema was able to match him.

“We were under a lot of pressure, with more balls coming into our box and a lot of crosses,” Mosimane said. “I know Egyptian football, so we prepared thoroughly because the ball will always come from the full-backs.

“Marmoush was a little bit of a problem. You can see why he is playing in the Premier League – he is fast and quick. But Lebone is quick too.”

Mosimane explained that he chose not to leave Seema exposed in the centre of defence alongside Ndamane during such a demanding fixture.

“We did not change too much at centre-back because I did not want Lebone to play alone with Ndamane in a big game,” he added. “So I kept Ime on for a little while, but I had promised Ndamane that he would play in the second half.”