Pitso Mosimane Under Fire Over Sundowns Celebration Ahead of Bafana Bafana Return
- A video of Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane apparently celebrating Mamelodi Sundowns' cup win went viral on Sunday
- Sports commentator @MuziBucs called the clip 'extremely concerning' for a national team coach, drawing hundreds of reactions
- Mosimane's squad selections are already under scrutiny as Bafana prepare for 2027 AFCON qualifiers in September
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A video that appears to show Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane celebrating Mamelodi Sundowns' victory over Al Ahli has set social media alight, with fans sharply divided over whether a national coach should wear his club loyalties so openly.
Sundowns defeated the Saudi Arabian club 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to claim the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup. The result brought Mosimane's two former clubs face to face; he won five league titles and the CAF Champions League with Sundowns before later guiding Al Ahli back to the Saudi Pro League. He had acknowledged before the match that facing both sides would stir emotions.
The Clip That Started It All
The account @SundownsXtra_ shared footage on Sunday showing a man beside a black car, identified as Mosimane, gesturing and celebrating. The post read:
"Dr Pitso Mosimane did not hide his feelings yesterday, and the whole South Africa SAW it. He is Sundowns by BLOOD."
Sports commentator @MuziBucs quoted the post, writing:
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"For a National Coach this is extremely concerning."
The clip drew more than 290,000 views and 260 replies.
Watch the clip below:
Mzansi Reacts
Not everyone shared that concern. @tascopopo pushed back, saying:
"No young man, for crying out loud, Pitso played and coached this team. Sundowns is his home." @Jewu70771 argued that Mosimane is "entitled to support any team he likes" and that Sundowns "contributed a lot in shaping his career," adding that his joy was really about seeing a South African club beat an Asian opponent.
@RockyBellbow1 had little patience for the criticism, telling @MuziBucs: "Be concerned about your team not national bafanas." @CKubayi66913 offered a lighter take:
"You can never see Thomas Tuchel doing this when visiting Stamford Bridge 😂"
Others were less forgiving. @conquered_youth wrote: "This guy won't progress bafana bafana," while @CamzaScorpio said the country would "regret letting Hugo go," referencing Mosimane's predecessor Hugo Broos. @Constitution_94 went further, linking the video to squad selection by claiming Mosimane had picked 16 Sundowns players, including both goalkeepers, for the national squad.
The debate arrives at a sensitive moment. Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has publicly questioned why Sundowns captain Themba Zwane and Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma were included in the 30-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mosimane has defended Mbuthuma's inclusion.
Mosimane, who was unveiled as Bafana coach on 1 September, will have an opportunity to shift the focus back to football when the team hosts Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September, followed by a clash against Eritrea four days later.
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Source: Briefly News
