Pitso implies playing Mshishi is more about showing him respect

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has suggested that it was important for Themba “Mshishi” Zwane’s legacy that his national team career didn’t end when he was sent off during the World Cup opener against one of the hosts, Mexico, at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.

Mosimane gave Zwane his first national team minutes since his World Cup red card in Bafana’s 5-0 Afcon qualifier win over low-ranked Eritrea on Wednesday, introducing him for Sphephelo Sithole in the 79th minute.

Zwane’s red card in the 2-0 defeat to Mexico in Group A opener ended his World Cup, as he went on to miss Bafana’s subsequent three matches at the global spectacle Mexico co-hosted with the US and Canada.

“It’s important to reduce the squad’s average age, but we must not focus too much on that because experience also helps,” Mosimane said.

“We have experienced players and I am happy that one of the most experienced players in the team, Themba Zwane, managed to get a chance, because I wouldn’t like him not to play after that World Cup red card. Bringing him back gives him respect and confidence.”

Bafana next face Egypt in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday (8pm SA time).

Mosimane suggested Zwane would get more minutes against the Pharaohs, as the team is now thin in the midfield after Bathusi Aubaas limped off against Eritrea, leaving Sithole and Brooklyn Poggenpoel the only two fit central midfielders. Teboho Mokoena is also sidelined by the injury he picked up in the opening game of these qualifiers against Guinea, where Bafana won 2-1 at Orlando Amstel Arena last Saturday.

“Teboho is out with injuries and Aubaas is out as well, so we are losing a lot of players in the midfield. We will be a little bit thin against Egypt in the midfield, so today we had to bring Zwane to play in the midfield,” Mosimane said.

Bafana top Group D of the qualifiers with six points after two games.