Kaizer Chiefs Legend Backs Pitso Mosimane Over Mamelodi Sundowns Star’s Bafana Bafana Call-Up
- Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has defended Pitso Mosimane's multi-captain approach for his first squad and Mamelodi Sundowns star's inclusion
- Themba Zwane, 37, was included alongside Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine as one of Mosimane's captains, drawing scrutiny from fans
- The Bafana Bafana great drew on South Africa's 1996 AFCON triumph to explain why dismantling an experienced squad too quickly can be costly
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has thrown his support behind Pitso Mosimane's multi-captain strategy, specifically defending the inclusion of veteran midfielder Themba Zwane in the new coach's first national squad.
Mosimane named the 37-year-old Zwane as one of three captains alongside Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from some supporters who question whether the Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker still warrants a place at international level. The squad will compete in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as a friendly against Egypt.
Khumalo argues experience must not be discarded
Khumalo acknowledged that public scepticism over Zwane's selection is not unreasonable, but stressed that those concerns should not simply be dismissed without hearing the coach's rationale. He maintained that Mosimane, as the person closest to the squad, is best placed to explain his selection choices.
Drawing on his personal experience in the South African team that lifted the 1996 AFCON title and subsequently qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Khumalo argued that transitions between generations of players need to be handled with caution. He believes South Africa's struggles in the years that followed were partly caused by moving too quickly away from experienced personnel, leaving the squad without adequate leadership.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Khumalo noted that Bafana appeared more settled during the four to five years under Hugo Broos, and cautioned that breaking up a functional squad prematurely risks undoing that progress.
Senior players key for younger generation
Khumalo also pointed to the importance of figures such as Zwane, and potentially Nkosinathi Sibisi, in a squad that Mosimane has stocked with younger talent. He argued that seasoned internationals serve a crucial function when less-experienced players encounter the intensity of senior football for the first time.
He reflected on his own nerves ahead of major internationals, noting that even established players can feel overwhelmed as a big match approaches, with pressure intensifying further for those named in the starting line-up. In that context, Khumalo believes having respected senior voices within the camp provides younger players with a resource to draw on during high-stakes moments.
Source: Briefly News
