Mosimane Likens New Bafana Call-Up Ndlovu to Thapelo Maseko
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu is a deliberate, end-product player, and wants to see whether he fits the national set-up.
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has compared Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Siyanda Ndlovu to Thapelo Maseko, describing both as deliberate wingers, according to iDiski Times.
The 22-year-old, nicknamed ‘Skwishi’, has been included in Mosimane’s final squad for back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya this month. It is his first senior national team call-up. He joined Sundowns this season and was not part of the preliminary squad.
Why Mosimane picked Ndlovu
Mosimane said he rates Ndlovu’s focus on scoring and creating goals. He pointed to the player’s recent form, saying Ndlovu has collected two Man of the Match awards in his last four games, along with goals and assists.
The coach described the type of winger he prefers. Some people like wingers who keep turning and twisting, he said, but he wants players who go inside one-on-one, get behind defenders, and deliver the ball into the box. “It’s business. It’s deliberate,” Mosimane said of that style.
He also made clear that assists alone are not enough. In his words, a winger must also score.
A look at the national team level
Mosimane stressed that Ndlovu still has to prove himself at international level. He said the national team is not the same level as club football, so staff need to see whether the youngster can fit in.
The coach said Maseko is injured, and that Bafana need a bigger pool of players. He explained that he has little time to assess players, because he must follow the international calendar set by FIFA. At the moment, he said, there are no friendly matches before the finals.
That is why he wants to bring in-form players into camp, train with them and watch them up close. Mosimane compared this with Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, who can plan tours such as those to England or Australia, something he said he cannot do.
What this means for supporters
A call-up does not guarantee game time. Mosimane said that being brought in means the player’s good form has been acknowledged and that the staff want to see if he suits the set-up.
- Bafana face Kenya in two qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations this month.
- Ndlovu is in the squad for the first time, so fans should not assume he will start.
- Maseko, according to Mosimane, is injured.
This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.
