Mosimane calls for closer cooperation for the good of Bafana Bafana - 2010

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Mosimane calls for closer cooperation for the good of Bafana Bafana

01-10-2012

Mosimane calls for closer cooperation for the good of Bafana Bafana

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Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane believes closer cooperation from all stakeholders will ensure the National Team is thoroughly prepared for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that are starting in June this year.

Mosimane travelled to the Equatorial Guinea without his regular players, after he was forced to change his personnel following the withdrawal of players from Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
South Africa played to a goalless draw against Equatorial Guinea in a match where the head coach had five uncapped players in the starting line-up, and gave three more their first Bafana Bafana caps in the second half.

This week he was forced to add five more players after five others had to return to their clubs.

"We need to look at how serious we all are about preparing Bafana Bafana for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament that we are hosting, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that start in June. We need a collective effort to ensure this team is ready for any challenge it comes across, we need more time to prepare. Some say we have better facilities than any country on the continent, but the fact is those facilities can only work to our advantage if we have time to use them, and at the moment we don’t have. On the other hand players are being withdrawn from the squad to go train with their clubs, when they could continue with us here and join their clubs later. The fact is that clubs have the right to do so, but we need to have one objective - to be patriotic and remember that the national team is priority. The leaders of the game need to get together and find common ground for the good of all," said Mosimane.

On the upcoming practice matches against Zambia and Ghana, the head coach says he takes them very seriously as do the players.

"We are playing two great sides who have their full squads in camp, so its going to be a very good test for my young players, most of whom haven’t tasted international football. While they (Zambia and Ghana) are preparing for the 2012 Afcon, I would like to see how much depth we have in South Africa - we have quality players but it would be good to see how they fare against these stars. We need to get something out of these matches so that when we go forward we know what kind of players we have. Unfortunately you can’t try and fix the mistakes done in the last match because we have different personnel. The chances of us winning are very slim because we have new and young players but it would be great to see how they acquaint themselves," added Mosimane.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane will captain the side in the two matches.

Ï think these youngsters did well in Equatorial Guinea under trying circumstances. We did not play our normal game because we had some new players in the side. As for the Zambia and Ghana clashes, it won't be easy but we will do everything we can to get a positive result. This is another opportunity for the newcomers to show what they have and get a taste of playing at the highest level. Its a chance to show the talent South Africa has," said Letsholonyane.

Bafana Bafana will face Zambia on Wednesday, 11 January at the Rand Stadium starting at 16h30, and will then take on Ghana four days later at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg with a 16h00 kickoff.

Both Zambia and Ghana are using the matches to prepare for the upcoming 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

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