Pitso Mosimane vows to revolutionise South Africa football by giving youngsters a chance

Pitso Mosimane says he wants to “revolutionise” South African football during his second spell as Bafana Bafana coach by giving more young players opportunities at international level including an 18-year-old, provided they are playing regularly in the PSL.

Mosimane begins his latest tenure with an Afcon qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday at 6pm.

Bafana Bafana are in Group D and will face Eritrea in their second qualifying match at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium on Wednesday at 6pm South Africa time. They will also play a friendly against Egypt in Cairo on October 4.

“Talent needs to be stacked properly. I want to make a revolution in SA football. Not only in Bafana, but with youth football as well,” Mosimane said.

The coach added that his recent work with youth football, through his school’s football project, had reinforced his belief that promising players should be introduced to the senior team.

“For the past two years I’ve been with youth football so much [through his school’s football project]. We need to have an 18-year-old player in Bafana, but he must be playing in the PSL.”

Mosimane pointed to his previous decisions involving young players, including former winger Daine Klate, whom he selected for SuperSport United at the age of 17. Klate has since retired and is one of South Africa’s most decorated players.

“I’ve always used young players … Daine Klate was 17, Cassius [Mailula] was with me in preseason [at Mamelodi Sundowns] as a 16-year-old. I’ve seen what I have seen and it’s not for me to justify Cassius … he’s doing it week in and week out,” the Bafana coach said.

However, Mosimane stressed that age alone would not be enough to earn selection. Young players must first establish themselves in the top flight before being considered for Bafana Bafana.

“If he [that 18-year-old] is not playing in the PSL, how are we going to justify that he needs to be playing for Bafana? Normally here at home we don’t really play the young players, but it’s important that we have the young players playing.”

Bafana Bafana must finish top of Group D, with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania set to host next year’s Afcon. Kenya have already secured qualification as one of the host nations but remain South Africa’s other opponent in the group.