Mosimane admits painful call to drop Themba Zwane from Bafana
Pitso Mosimane has cut one of his own trusted advisors from the Bafana Bafana squad, and the coach says it hurt.
Mosimane named a final 27-man squad for the back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya later this month.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane, who played in the previous camp and South Africa’s first two qualifiers, was left out after making the preliminary squad.
“It was emotional, it was not an easy decision, I had to drop Mshishi,” Mosimane said of the decision.
The decision was tough because of what Zwane means behind the scenes.
“He’s also my coach by the way Mshishi, he helps me with these boys to say coach ‘this one his strength is this’.
“So, I have left the coach behind now.” Mosimane then turned to the man he chose to back, Lyle Foster, and hit out at the critics.
“But I also have to say, are we burying Lyle? Is Lyle 35 years old? Is Lyle not a good player anymore.
“We mustn’t forget who scored for us to qualify for the AFCON. This thing is not just about the talent, it’s emotional and I had to phone Mshishi.”
Zwane took it like a pro. “Yes, I called him, he took it well, he’s professional and said no problem coach, let’s give Lyle he’s strong in the box and he can score for us.”
Bafana face Kenya in two games that will show whether the tough call pays off.
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