Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has defended Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane. Kekana said Mosimane was misunderstood when he spoke about Oswin Appollis adapting to the national team’s style of play.
Kekana spoke at the finals of the 2026 Kay Motsepe Schools Championship in Soshanguve, Pretoria, IOL reported.
“As a former player who played under him, I knew what he was trying to say. I think the challenge was just his articulation in English,” Kekana said. “Play the clip slowly so that you understand what he’s trying to say.”
Mosimane started his second spell as Bafana coach with a 2-1 win over Guinea in their first 2027 Afcon qualifier. After that game, he told reporters that players needed to adapt to the national team setup.
He said Appollis should adapt to the team’s approach, such as helping out at left-back. He said the Orlando Pirates attacker should not play strictly the way he does at his club.
The remark raised eyebrows among some observers, IOL reported. This was because Mosimane also suggested that left-back Aubrey Modiba should play the way he does at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Some critics have argued that Mosimane is still biased towards Sundowns. He coached the club in the past and built the system that brought it a lot of success.
Kekana won many trophies at Sundowns under Mosimane, including the CAF Champions League. He said the coach simply wants players who can do more than one job.
“He’s trying to say that his players must be flexible enough to understand that in the national team, you can’t play the way you want,” Kekana said. “He’s simply saying that you need to be flexible as a player. You must be able to play different roles.”
Appollis started again on Wednesday night when Bafana beat Eritrea 5-0. The win kept South Africa at the top of Group D after two rounds.
Appollis set up three of the five goals. Mosimane praised him and Relebohile Mofokeng for their performances in the match.
Kekana said he likes how Appollis can move from the wing into the No 10 role. He pointed to a chance Appollis created for Thapelo Maseko in the Guinea game, which Maseko missed.
“If you saw the chance Maseko missed from Appollis, that’s what he was trying to say,” Kekana said.
He also explained a word Mosimane often used with his players at Sundowns.
“He used to like using the term ‘travel’. I didn’t understand it at first. Themba Zwane was a winger in our team, but you couldn’t find him stuck on the touchline,” Kekana said.
“That’s what he’s trying to say: you need to have freedom as a winger; don’t be restricted to the line,” he said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.