Pitso Mosimane needs South Africa’s backing, says Surprise Moriri

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Surprise Moriri has urged South Africans to support Pitso Mosimane as Bafana Bafana continue their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Mosimane returned to the Bafana Bafana hotseat on Saturday and began his second spell with a victory over Guinea. South Africa now face Eritrea in their second Group D qualifier at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 (SA time) this evening.

Moriri, who played for South Africa during his international career and has since worked within the Mamelodi Sundowns youth coaching structures, said Mosimane deserved the same backing previously given to Hugo Broos.

Speaking to the media at the Kay Motsepe Foundation Schools Championship at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on Wednesday, Moriri called for unity behind the national team.

“I must say that, as South Africans, we really have to support the new coach. He’s in charge now; he needs our support as much as the way we supported the previous coach, Hugo Broos,” Moriri said.

“That’s why he (Broos) has been doing well. So, let’s also support coach Pitso, our coach, so that he can also do his best. I know that he’s one coach that wants to do well. But most importantly, each and every one has to play his own role.”

Moriri calls for unity

The former Bafana midfielder said supporters had an important role to play during the qualifying campaign and suggested that a united approach could help the team achieve its objective.

“As the supporters, let’s do our best and support him. And I can see that we are not together in terms of making sure that we help Bafana Bafana, in terms of motivating and making sure that they do well. And I know that at the end of this group, we will top the group,” he added.

Moriri was pleased with South Africa’s opening result against Guinea and sent the squad his best wishes before the meeting with Eritrea.

“We won the first game, and I was happy. And we are playing the second game today. I just want to wish them only the best. And I think all South Africans can rally behind Bafana Bafana under the new coach. And I think together we can do it,” Moriri concluded.