The head coach of Bafana Bafana, Piso Mosimane, along with his technical team, which includes goalkeeper coach Marcus Mashilo and assistant coach Morenu Ramoreboli, conducted the first training session at UJ stadium in Johannesburg as part of the preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
After holding the first training session on Monday afternoon at UJ stadium, Piso Mosimane outlined his vision for the national team's setup ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium.
Speaking to the press representatives after assembling his squad, Mosimane clarified the logic behind forming the technical staff from part-time specialists, specifically mentioning the recently appointed goalkeeper coach Marcus Mashilo.
Despite Mashilo not having as high a profile as former players, Mosimane emphasized that his track record at clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows, and Marumo Gallants speaks for itself. During the briefing, Mosimane noted: 'Marcus helps us in the goalkeeping department.'
He continued, mentioning Mashilo's experience: 'Coach Mashilo worked with me at Sundowns, he worked with Coach Mankob (Mngkithi) at Sundowns, he worked with Coach Rulani (Mokvena). He even worked with Coach Mankob at Golden Arrows and was at Marumo Gallants. He was an assistant to Coach Wendell (Robinson). He has experience. Marcus is present, although we know he doesn't have a big name.'
Additionally, coach Arthur Zwane of AmaZulu is expected to join the Bafana squad on a part-time basis.
Technical structure based on local talent
Mosimane stressed that creating a fully local team was an intentional philosophy aimed at elevating South Africa's coaching standard on the international stage. Tsepo Letsa Mahao, who will strengthen the technical analysis department, joins long-time performance analyst Musi Matlabe and fitness coach Kabelo Rangoahe.
Mosimane explained: 'We have an assistant for Musi, Tsepo. He was in Algeria, and he will help Mmusi with all the analysis and data. The technical team also includes local specialists; it is very important for me to support our local coaches by providing them with international experience within Bafana. It is good to have a local squad.'
He added that some specialists cannot work full-time and only arrive during camps: 'Some we cannot have full-time; they come during camps. We cannot have them full-time, so we started with Musi and Kabelo. It worked well for us.'
Bafana's overseas squad is not yet complete
Shifting focus to squad readiness, the former manager of Al Ahli and Sundowns confirmed that local players arrived at the camp without incident on Sunday, while overseas players are gradually arriving after their club commitments over the weekend.
Mosimane reported: 'Of course, there are players abroad. Some played yesterday (Sunday), players like Puso (Ditejane) — we know where he is coming from. Too far, he will require about two or three flights.'
He assured that he expects all overseas players to arrive: 'We expect all our players from abroad to be here. Luther (Singh) is already here, (Samukele) Kabini is here.'
The Bafana Bafana national team will begin its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign against Guinea on Saturday afternoon at 15:00 at Orlando Stadium, after which the team will travel to Cairo to face Eritrea.
