Mosimane issues entitlement warning to returning Bafana Bafana stars

Pitso Mosimane, coach of Bafana Bafana during training ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.

If there is a take-away statement from Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane’s first press conference , it is that no player is entitled to a position.

Apart from his unveiling late in August and his first squad announcement last week, Mosimane held his first technical press conference at the University of Johannesburg on Monday afternoon ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers .

His first match in his second stint in charge of Bafana is a 3pm kick-off against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

To his first press conference, Mosimane brought along long-exiled forwards Luther Singh and Cassius Mailula.

The statement was not made in explicit terms , but it was clear under the surface that no one should claim entitlement, especially those who carried the tag of having recently played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup .

"We have to respect those who have done it before these boys here (Mailula and Singh), but football evolves. There was a Ronaldo (Cristiano) at Real Madrid and now there is Mbappé (Kylian)," said Mosimane.

" Everybody reported to camp yesterday (Sunday) and there were no issues . I feel good because that shows that the boys have respect for the emblem of the national team.

"It is always good when you come to the office on day one and all the boys are on time. That sends a message that nobody feels entitled just because they played in the World Cup. "

Mosimane did not specify the reason behind choosing the duo of Mailula and Singh for his first press conference, especially considering that last week he announced three senior players in the squad's leadership group .

The three leaders are captain Ronwen Williams, his backup goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, and veteran Themba Zwane .

"You've got Luther the captain (I think he is a captain at his club), and with Cassius, you can hear him speak about the setbacks that he has been through. He's ready to compete. For him to claim a starting place at Mamelodi Sundowns, a star-studded team, shows that he is not resting on his laurels. It shows that he has the maturity to want to make it by hook or by crook," reflected Mosimane.

"I'm so impressed with the guys who just joined the camp, the humility that they have for the national team. I can feel the hunger within them. I feel that they want to show that they deserve to be in the team," said Mosimane.

"Of course there is pressure on them; there is pressure on (a guy like) Luther Singh to say, 'Can I take the place of (Oswin) Appollis who is scoring every time?' or on Cassius (Mailula) to say, 'Can I play with Rele (Mofokeng)?' For me it's exciting to see that; it's beautiful."