Pitso Mosimane Names Bafana Bafana Star He Wants to Give a Fair Chance
- Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane singled out defender Samukele Kabini after his unveiling at SAFA House
- Kabini was part of South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad but did not feature in a single match
- Mosimane faces an immediate test with 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea looming
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Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has identified overlooked defender Samukele Kabini as a player who deserves proper consideration, signalling a shift in approach for fringe members of the national squad.
Mosimane was officially unveiled at SAFA House this week, and one of his first public commitments centred on players who travelled to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but never got off the bench.
**Mosimane Puts Kabini in Focus**
The Kagiso-born coach was direct about his intentions regarding Kabini, who was part of South Africa's World Cup contingent without earning a single minute of playing time.
"Kabini has never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also," Mosimane said. "They were in the World Cup, they didn't get a chance to play, but they are also part of the team."
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Rather than discarding players on the periphery, Mosimane indicated that his technical team would conduct a thorough assessment before making any decisions about their international futures. He also confirmed he does not intend to overhaul the squad wholesale, suggesting continuity alongside renewed opportunity for those previously overlooked.
**AFCON Qualifiers Add Urgency**
The new coach's inclusive approach may be tested sooner than expected. South Africa face 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Guinea and Eritrea in the coming months, with several key players currently managing injuries. That situation could accelerate the need to look beyond the established group.
An upcoming friendly fixture is expected to provide Mosimane with a practical opportunity to assess players such as Kabini in a competitive but lower-stakes environment before the qualifiers arrive.
For Kabini, the message from one of South African football's most decorated coaches could not be clearer: his international career is far from over.
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Source: Briefly News
