Pitso Mosimane announced the first squad of Bafana Bafana for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers

It is reported that the Safa team is close to signing Arthur Zwein as Pitso Mosimane's second assistant in the 'Bafana Bafana' national team.

Mosimane took over the team leadership at the beginning of this month, replacing Hugo Bruus. He quickly brought on board trusted staff members Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoa, who will continue to share their experience as analyst and physical fitness coach, respectively.

The former 'Mamelodi Sundowns' coach further strengthened his technical team by appointing Moren Ramoreboli as his first assistant after he left the position of head coach of the Botswana national team.

News emerging this week indicates that Zwein is ready to join Mosimane's team on a part-time basis. According to available information, he will continue to lead the 'AmaZulu' team while fulfilling the duties of Mosimane's second assistant. Furthermore, he will oversee the work of the U23 youth team, helping integrate young players into the senior squad.

Zwein has experience working with youth. His impressive period at 'AmaZulu' was a result of nurturing young talents and helping them adapt to the high demands of professional football.

He began his coaching career in the youth structures of 'Kaizer Chiefs', where he played an important role in promoting young players who subsequently moved to Europe or became full members of the senior team.

If Zwein takes this position, he returns to the 'Bafana' squad, as he previously worked as an assistant to the current technical director Molefe Ntseki.

Much has changed since then—after Bruus qualified the team for two continental tournaments in a row and for the World Cup, where they historically reached the 32nd round. Therefore, Mosimane is under pressure to maintain this momentum.

Mosimane will begin his term with the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 30, and four days later he will meet Eritrea at the neutral Al-Salam stadium in Cairo. Then 'Bafana' will conclude the international window with a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4.

The appointment of Pitso Mosimane as the head coach of the Bafana Bafana national team has drawn mixed reactions. Some consider him a suitable candidate for developing the team, while others fear the opposite. Supporters point to Mosimane's significant progress and numerous trophies won globally over the past years. Opponents, however, argue that he is better suited for club football and that his perceived overconfidence will not benefit the national team.

Nevertheless, the decision has been made: Mosimane will lead Bafana for at least the next four years. His first phase will begin with the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea this month. He must maintain focus, preventing both praise from becoming excessive and criticism from causing demoralization.

Prioritizing Results

In recent years, Bafana has demonstrated a competitive level, showing that it no longer participates in major tournaments merely to fill spots. The team finished third in the postponed Africa Cup of Nations 2023 and reached the World Cup playoffs for the first time in history. Mosimane must build success on this foundation. Bafana must approach every match with a single goal: to win. This is the only way to earn the respect of continental and international rivals and justify the 'favorite' status in future encounters.

Establishing a Clear Playing Identity

Achieving success on the international stage requires more than just selecting the best players from around the world. Mosimane is obliged to create a clear tactical scheme, defining how the team wins, and demonstrating a distinct playing style. Mosimane is known for preferring an explosive, attacking philosophy rather than defensive balance. If he intends to implement this approach, he needs to instill this confidence in the players while ensuring the team does not remain vulnerable defensively.

Finding a Reliable Striker

Despite achievements in different years, Bafana has struggled to find a consistent goalscorer. Lyle Foster has shown inconsistency, and Evidence Makgopa has yet to prove he deserves a permanent spot in the squad. Although scoring goals, like defense, is a collective responsibility, Mosimane needs a forward on whom he can consistently rely to finish chances created by teammates.

Not Over-relying on Mudau

If Mosimane takes anything from the current injury crisis before this month's qualifiers, it is the necessity of having a wider and more versatile pool of players. Every team member must be ready to fulfill their role. Right-back Khuliso Mudau will be absent this month, despite being a regular member of the national team. His injury serves as a reminder that no player is immune to setbacks; Mosimane must ensure there are other players ready to immediately replace starters if they become unavailable.

Planning for the Future

Mosimane will face similar circumstances not only with Mudau during his tenure; it is likely to happen with most, if not all, players. Therefore, Mosimane must ensure that there is both a starter and a capable substitute in every position ready to contribute in any challenge. Beyond the attacking line, there was a period when the goalkeeping corps experienced instability in the absence of Ronwen Williams. This weakness highlighted the need for squad depth, especially when former coach Hugo Bruus was forced to rotate goalkeepers within a single international window.