JOHANNESBURG – Former South African coach Pitso Mosimane has urged everyone, especially PSL clubs, to give the team their unqualified support if they are to achieve their objectives of qualifying for Cameroon 2019 and performing well on the international stage.
The Sundowns coach visited the Bafana Bafana dressing-room soon after the team had played to a 1-1 draw with South American side Paraguay at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Tuesday.
Addressing the players, coach Stuart Baxter, high-ranking KZN Provincial MECs and Safa president, Danny Jordaan, Mosimane assured everyone present that Sundowns would do every
"If Bafana Bafana do well, we all benefit as a country. If they qualify for Cameroon 2019, the experience they will gain in that competition will rub off on our clubs and our football in general, so it is imperative that we all join hands to help Bafana Bafana do well.”
Mosimane said Sundowns has always worked together with the senior national team and would continue to do so going forward, adding the performance of the squad was always a reflection of the clubs that supply the national team with players.
Mosimane: Let's get behind Bafana. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
The former Bafana Bafana coach said it would be ideal for South Africa to have at least three friendly international matches before the trip to North Africa to meet Libya in the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and that everyone must come to the party.
Bafana Bafana just need a draw to qualify while Libya need an outright win to force their way into the expanded 24-team tournament that will take place in Cameroon next year.
Mosimane said contrary to some sections of society he was satisfied with the progress of Baxter and his team following credible draws against Nigeria and Paraguay inside three days.
“Only pessimists will not see that as a big improvement; Nigeria were at the 2018 World Cup in Russia but Bafana Bafana matched them throughout the game while Paraguay are a football powerhouse. Baxter should build on this.
“Libya are not Nigeria and Libya are not Paraguay,” he said.