Mbekezeli Mbokazi has returned to the Bafana Bafana squad after recovering from injury, with coach Pitso Mosimane stressing that his inclusion must not disrupt the progress made during his absence.
The Chicago Fire defender is among several Major League Soccer-based players recalled for the Kenya double-header. His return comes under a new regime following Hugo Broos’ departure, with Mosimane appointed before Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea and 5-0 win against Eritrea.
During Mbokazi’s absence, Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya formed the team’s central defensive partnership. Mosimane was impressed by what he saw from Mbokazi before bringing him back into the group.
“A good boy, a good player, he wants to play. A good mentality, good energy from what I saw on the games,” Mosimane said.
However, Mbokazi and the other MLS players faced a demanding journey before joining the national team. The group spent approximately one and a half days travelling and also had to adapt to the time difference.
“The MLS players they traveled for one-and-a-half days to be here and time differences. We don’t adjust our time to their time, because we are a group and they just come in and gel in proper,” Mosimane said.
The coach praised the attitude of the returning players and noted that most of those brought back into the squad had featured at the World Cup.
“The MLS boys are focussed, they show they come from a good environment and most of them that we brought back [into the squad] went to the World Cup,” he added. “It’s important for me also to show them respect to be part of the group without compromising what’s been happening because that’s more important.”
Mosimane said established players could not automatically reclaim their places at the expense of those who had helped produce Bafana Bafana’s recent results. He wants to preserve the team’s momentum while accepting that international squads are regularly affected by injuries and player availability.
“We need to keep the momentum going after the results. In the national team we never have the same players easily back,” he said.
Thapelo Morena is unavailable through injury, while Thalente Mbatha has returned after his own spell on the sidelines. Mosimane also believes players such as Lyle Foster and Mbokazi, who performed at the World Cup, should be given the chance to rejoin the squad.
“Everyone knows, as I said you’re only as good as the last game. If you are injured you need to have somebody to play in your position. we also need to encourage who come and play. Yes, the quality might not be the same, but we have a country to choose from.”
Mosimane’s position is that reputation and previous performances do not guarantee selection. Players must remain available, take their opportunities and accept competition for places as Bafana Bafana prepare to face Kenya.
