Pitso Mosimane has explained his decision not to retain Helman Mkhalele as part of his Bafana Bafana technical team following his return to the national coaching hotseat.
Mosimane is back in charge of South Africa for the first time in 14 years, but his return has also brought significant changes to the national team’s coaching setup.
Mkhalele, who spent five years working as an assistant under former coach Hugo Broos, is no longer part of the Bafana technical structure.
MOSIMANE WANTS HIS OWN PEOPLE
Mosimane’s current backroom team includes analyst Musi Matlaba and conditioning coach Kabelo Rangoaga.
The new Bafana boss says his decision is based largely on wanting to work with staff members who understand his methods and football philosophy.
Speaking to the media, Mosimane pointed to the example of Carlo Ancelotti and his son, Davide Ancelotti, to explain why coaches often prefer to surround themselves with trusted members of their own technical teams.
Mosimane argued that the focus should ultimately be on the work being done rather than questioning who a coach chooses to have around him.
He also highlighted the experience of his current staff, saying that four members of his team had previously worked with him at the FIFA Club World Cup.
According to Mosimane, that familiarity is important because his methods differ from those of other coaches.
“It’s the people who understand the way I work, the way we work. We work differently.”
WHAT HAPPENS TO HELMAN MKHALELE?
Mkhalele’s future is now uncertain after losing his position within the Bafana setup.
The former South African international had been a key part of Broos’ technical team and was involved during a period in which Bafana made significant progress under the Belgian coach.
However, Mosimane has made it clear that he intends to build his own technical structure rather than simply continuing with members of the previous regime.
That means Mkhalele will have to wait and see what comes next in his coaching career.
MOSIMANE’S BAFANA RETURN BEGINS
Mosimane’s appointment has generated considerable excitement among South African football supporters, but his return also comes with huge expectations.
Having previously led Bafana, Mosimane now has another opportunity to shape the national team according to his own vision.
His decision to bring in trusted members of his coaching network is an early indication that this will be a new era rather than a continuation of the previous regime.
For now, the message from Mosimane is clear: he wants people around him who understand exactly how he works.
Do you agree with Pitso Mosimane’s decision to leave Helman Mkhalele out of his Bafana Bafana technical team?
