African coaching icon Pitso Mosimane has set his sights firmly on the international stage, revealing that leaving a “footprint” at the AFCON and the FIFA World Cup is the ultimate goal missing from his storied resume.
The serial winner, currently unattached, made the comments on the sidelines of the Pitso Mosimane Youth Football end-of-year awards recently. He was discussing the evolving landscape of global football tournaments.
Mosimane’s trophy cabinet is already glittering, boasting three CAF Champions League titles, two FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals, and five domestic league titles and multiple trophies.
However, the one constant missing from his professional honours is a major international tournament success.
PITSO MOSIMANE: ‘I’D LOVE TO HAVE A FOOTPRINT ON THE AFCON’
“I’ve always said that if you put everything on the table… We’ve been to the FIFA Club World Cup three times, we’ve got medals, and we’ve done Champions League. We’ve done the PSL and other things, but one thing we’ve not done… I’d love to leave a footprint on the AFCON, and I’d like to be part of a team at the World Cup,” Mosimane told FARPost.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor is motivated by the expanded qualification slots for African nations at both AFCON and the World Cup. Mosimane backed the changes to global tournament formats, which have significantly increased African representation. He noted the difference between his previous experience and the current setup.
“When we were there, there were only 16 teams; now it’s 24. Come on, we have to be in the [Africa] Cup of Nations. Are we that unlucky? It’s 24 teams. When I was there, it was 16 teams. To go to the World Cup, it was five [African teams], now it’s nine, and it could be 10 [playoff spot].”
Mosimane feels the expansion empowers African football. “Now, things are much easier. SA belongs to the top 10. I’m not trying to say it’s easy to qualify, but I’m saying the process is much better,” he added.
“It’s inclusive and empowers Africa to participate in these tournaments and generate more income. Many African countries are represented; we can now see many players, overseas teams can scout, and there’s more money for teams. But you still have European numbers doubled on the other side.”
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