PITSO Mosimane has included Steven Pienaar in his Bafana Bafana squad, more in hope than expectation that the injury-prone skipper will make the team for the final 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Announcing his team for the vital match against Sierra Leone in Johannesburg yesterday, the Bafana coach admitted it was a tricky situation, but he remained hopeful that Pienaar will be available.

"He (Pienaar) hasn't played in three or four months now. I spoke to him yesterday, though, and he's training with his team. He may even play the Europa Cup (tomorrow)," Mosimane said. "We have him on stand-by and we'll be monitoring his progress this week. But the doctors will guide us."

Pienaar has been recovering from a groin injury he picked up on a pre-season tour with his English club Tottenham Hotspur, and his absence has been detrimental to the Bafana cause.

As he reflected on the journey so far, Mosimane also acknowledged that the qualifying campaign hasn't gone according to plan. As things stand, Bafana are at the risk of not qualifying for the Afcon for the second successive time, despite having lost only once in their five qualifiers.

"The plan was to bag 11 points at home and three away," the coach said.

"Unfortunately, we've managed two away and that has put us on the back foot. It's been a tough group and the fact that none of the Group G teams has won away from home underlines that point.

"But I believe 11 points can qualify us. My sources in Egypt tell me the hype is on for the Under-23s to qualify for the Olympics. Those young boys played well against Sierra Leone and so they can prevail against Niger."

Apart from returnees Lebogang Mokoena and Punch Masenamela, Turkey-based Bradley Grobler is the only surprise inclusion in the team, which will assemble tomorrow.