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'SA must understand how the North Africans play‚' says Mosimane

Mamelodi Sundown coach Pitso Mosimane's coaching profile is admired by many in North African countries.
Mamelodi Sundown coach Pitso Mosimane's coaching profile is admired by many in North African countries.
Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says Bafana Bafana have to master the art of playing on the continent if they are to reclaim their place among Africa's elite.

Sundowns became the first SA club to finish Champions League group stages unbeaten after defeating Morocco's Wydad Casablanca 1-0 at the weekend and Mosimane said he would be happy to compare notes with Bafana counterpart Molefi Ntseki.

The Sundowns coach said South African teams have to find a way to get past North African sides as they have a stranglehold on the continent at both club and national team level.

“If you look at national teams‚ which teams wins the Cup of Nations?

"It is mostly the North Africans‚" he said.

"SA must understand how the North Africans play‚ even the national team because it is not all about tactics but the mentality‚ the culture and you have to be able to read their body language.

"It is more than a game and you have to teach your players to understand that because they are big teams. Wydad is a big team and last year they were in the final.

“I need the national team to come up also because we do this thing.

"If we team up‚ come together and share resources and information‚ we can do it.

"You know that I am not looking for the Bafana job because I am focused here. If I wanted it I could have long made myself available.”