Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has given a brutal assessment, pointing out the lessons he says they picked up after Friday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier 2-2 draw with Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena.
After starting the Group D campaign on a high with a 2-1 victory over Guinea, followed by the 5-0 thrashing of Eritrea, Mosimane’s men dropped points for the first time after the Kenya draw.
It was also the first time Mosimane failed to guide his side to victory since his return to the national side, having also beaten Egypt in an international friendly match after the Guinea and Eritrea games.
On Friday, Bafana let slip a narrow 2-1 lead, allowing the Harambee Stars to salvage a late point in a 2-2 draw. Mosimane’s side dominated possession but couldn’t turn it into goals, as the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach also rued the glut of chances they missed.
In a match, Relebohile Mofokeng was the star of the show; the former Orlando Pirates midfielder scored Bafana’s second goal after Kenya defender Amos Wanjala gifted them an own goal early in the tie.
‘BALL POSSESSION DOESN’T WIN GAMES’: MOSIMANE GIVES HARSH ASSESSMENT
While Benni McCarthy’s Kenya were inferior in possession, they hurt Bafana when it mattered the most. The hosts thought they had put the contest to bed with a slim lead, but the East Africans snatched a point to take back home.
“That’s football for you; two goals were not enough. Playing good football is not enough; pretty football is not all about that,” Mosimane told the media during the post-match press conference at Orlando Amstel Arena.
“You need to take the chances, and ball possession doesn’t win games. So that’s the reality, that’s what you see, that’s the lessons we get from here.”
BAFANA BAFANA ‘QUALIFYING FOR AFCON THE HARD WAY’
Mosimane insists they are still in control of Group D, although he warns his men are heading down a rocky path to AFCON qualification. By dropping two points, Bafana missed an opportunity to restore a three-point lead in their group.
They are now just a point better than second-placed Guinea, who could prove to be their biggest challengers in this pool.
“But I think we want to qualify the hard way. I think we want it the hard way. But for me, it’s to stay where we are on the log and finish where we are on the log,” Mosimane went on.
“So, it’s still in our hands, but it’s sad. It’s bitter, but it’s part of the game. Now we can see the character we have in the team.
“Can we fight? Can we stay where we are? Because we have worked hard to be where we are and with the centre-backs you might not like. But we are where we are.”
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