Bafana Bafana
Mosimane working on Plan B
2010-10-04 15:24
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane is working on a Plan B now that his midfield kingpin Steven Pienaar is out of Sunday’s 2012 African Nations Cup against Sierra Leone in Freetown.
The Everton star and Bafana vice-captain picked up a groin strain playing in the English Premiership.
"Life goes on. Sure it is a blow losing an influential player like Pienaar. We have to adapt. I would have been better for the team had he not been injured," he said.
"He phoned me and explained his injury. We also have medical documents from Everton, so all we can do is hope he recovers quickly."
Mosimane said he did have other midfield players who could fill in.
"I have a player in mind, but it is too early to name a replacement. I first want to have a look at everybody at training first."
Mosimane also said he would have liked to have defensive midfielder Kagisho "KG" Dikgacoi available, but the Fulham midfielder has just started training after an injury he picked up after the World Cup.
"Ideally, I would have loved to have both Pienaar and KG for this tough, away match, but we are professional soccer players and injuries are part and parcel of the game and we need to adjust.
Mosimane was assistant coach to former Bafana coach Joel Santana when a dispirited Bafana lost 1-0 there in 2008.
The spirit in the camp has improved a lot since Santana left.
Bafana regained their pride under Carlos Alberto Parreira at the World Cup. Now, Mosimane is carrying on what Parreira started and has the support of his players.
After a 1-1 draw against African champions and group favourites Egypt in their opening match, Sierra Leone will fancy their chances of upsetting the better organised Bafana.
"We know what to expect from the team and conditions. I was there last time when we conceded a penalty and lost," said Mosimane.
"We will be better prepared this time. We know the pitch is narrow which does not suit us and we go there in the rainy season so we will play on a we pitch and we face a lot of pressure from Sierra Leone.
"I watched them play Egypt and they play a 4-3-3 formation. They are a good, physically strong side."
Mosimane said he faced challenges and not problems.
"I am not looking for excuses. We simply have to dig deep and do the business and I know we can."
He would also not sit back and defend.
"I have four strikers in the squad so what does that tell you? Only one player has failed to turn up to camp and that is Mamelodi Sundowns' left back Innocent Mdledle. I do not want to make any statement on Mdledle until I have spoken to him and found out why he is not here."