Pitso Mosimane is laying down the law at Bafana Bafana – in his own way. His tactical style and approach won’t suit every player on any given day, but that has nothing to do with personal club preferences.
Everyone needs to adapt!
Aubrey Modiba and Oswin Appollis started on the left flank during Bafana's 2-1 win over Guinea in an Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Mosimane was pleased with Modiba’s work at left-back, urging him to continue playing the way he does at Mamelodi Sundowns, as that’s the most effective way he can serve the national team.
“Modiba must play exactly the same way he plays at Sundowns,” Mosimane boldly stated.
“He must come into the No 10 role. That’s important. I didn’t invent that style for Modiba – he’s been playing like that. We’ve got to use him to his strengths.”
However, Mosimane feels that Appollis and right-back Kamogelo Sebelebele could do more to help the team both defensively and offensively, as Bafana’s setup differs from how they operate at Orlando Pirates.
“Appollis knows that when Modiba comes inside, he has to stay on the wing,” Mosimane explained.
“Appollis doesn’t play that way at Pirates – he plays inside. But this is the national team, right? He has to accommodate Modiba.
“At Pirates, he drifts inside and (Deon) Hotto overlaps. But this is the national team, and he has to adjust. I need Appollis staying wide on the wing rather than coming inside. Sometimes, Sebelebele must sit back.”
Mosimane’s post-match comments sparked heavy debate on social media, with critics accusing him of bias towards Sundowns' playing style while disregarding Pirates' system – a narrative that drives club divisions instead of unifying behind the national team.
Such criticism is unwarranted.
While Mosimane naturally favours the system he built at Sundowns, his approach is grounded in tactical logic. He laid that blueprint years ago, and subsequent coaches, including incumbent Miguel Cardoso, have continued to build on it and amass success.
Ultimately, the buck stops with Mosimane at Bafana. He designs game plans to neutralise the strengths of opponents. The players, therefore, must adapt to what the national team requires – not the other way around.