Mosimane to unleash Campbell and Dithejane

Of the wholesale changes expected from Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane for the friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium tonight (8pm), eyes will mostly be on Shandre Campbell and Puso Dithejane.

Campbell, of Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk, and Puso Dithejane, of MLS side Chicago Fire, were spectators during the recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier wins over Guinea and Eritrea.

Mosimane went with his best possible teams in those matches, but the high-profile friendly against the Pharaohs presents an opportunity to unleash the highly rated duo.

They have been in good form for their clubs, and Mosimane rewarded them with places in the squad to increase depth as he looks beyond next year’s Afcon in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Campbell, Dithejane, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Lebone Seema, Khulumane Ndamane, Samukele Kabini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko are the younger players Mosimane will rely on after the Afcon in East Africa.

Players expected to feature against Egypt are Nkosinathi Sibisi, Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi, Thapelo Morena, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Tashreeq Matthews, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Luther Singh and Cassius Mailula.

Fifa rankings

Okon said they could not wait to take on Egypt in their own backyard. “Egypt is one of the biggest teams in Africa, and as a player you always want to challenge yourself against the best teams and players,” said the central defender, expressing delight at Bafana breaking into the top 50 bracket on the Fifa rankings.

“We are excited to play against them and show what we are all about. We are headed in the right direction. We are doing well, the junior national teams are also doing well, and we can only up [our game] from here.

“It is motivating to see the team moving a few places up on the rankings. When we look at the teams that are around us, it makes us realise that we can go higher from here and everything is possible.”

Bafana have been on a long camp, but Okon said they have to get on with it.

“Yes, the camp has been long but the group has adjusted because we know each other very well. The fact that we are winning matches makes it easier.”

Relationship with clubs

Mosimane recently spoke about maintaining good relationships with the clubs; and resting some of the players who played most of the minutes against Guinea and Eritrea would be welcomed by coaches.

From a South African context, there is a serious issue of the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Players are expected in the country latest on Tuesday, which will be four days before the crucial final, and Abdeslam Ouaddou and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso would be happy to see some of their players rested.

For Pirates, Ouaddou would be happy to see Oswin Appollis and Kamogelo Sebelebele not featuring against Egypt as part of their recovery for the weekend.

In the same breath, Ouaddou, who is gunning for his second MTN8 crown, will probably have no issues if Sipho Chaine, Sibisi, Lebone Seema, Mbuthuma get minutes ahead of the final for the much-needed match fitness.

It is motivating to see the team moving a few places up on the rankings.

—  Bafana defender Ime Okon

Things are a little trickier for Cardoso because key players Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas have picked up injuries and are doubts for the final.

Hammer blow for Downs

Their situations may be complicated by long travel back home, and it will be a hammer blow for Downs if they lose the trio for the final.

In the same breath, Cardoso would probably not mind seeing Morena, Basadien, Matthews and Mailula play against Egypt.

There is a lot to play for in this Egypt match because Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa will be in contention if they are fit when Bafana return to Afcon qualifying action against Kenya in back-to-back matches in November.

While Bafana were busy with Afcon qualifiers, the South African U20 team [Amajita] won the Cosafa U20 Championships last weekend in Mozambique, and Mosimane took an interest in their matches.

He is also following the U23 side, who kicked off their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games preparations with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Algeria at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

“We saw the U23s, we watched the game, and we are happy with what we saw; we are happy with the prospects,” said Mosimane.