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Johannesburg - Pitso Mosimane has informed South Africans he will never bow to pressure and selection suggestions that do not feed into his Vision 2014.
The Bafana Bafana boss, speaking ahead of Wednesday's friendly with USA at Cape Town Stadium, explained some of his decisions when announcing the final squad.
He also hit out some parts of the media, who via their radio and TV shows have been playing the part of the coach and putting forward what they feel should be the Bafana XI.
New-boy Davide Somma, who is set to make his debut against Bob Bradley's men, has taken some flak from pundits who feel he is not loyal to the national team, but rather to the idea of playing international football.
Mosimane labelled this notion absurd as the in-form striker is a welcome addition to the goal-shy Bafana set-up.
The former SuperSport United mentor also made it clear Matthew Pattison was not included due to media pressure, but on merit.
"It was me who gave Pattison his first cap against Egypt (in 2006)," said Mosimane.
"I was the one who alerted (former coach Carlos Alberto) Parreira to him.
"One thing I must say is I don't bow to pressure. And I think you can all see that with Teko (Modise).
The midfielder has hardly kicked a ball for Orlando Pirates this season, prompting calls for his axing.
But Mosimane revealed Modise is a leader and has the experience to motivate the younger players in camp.
The coach was annoyed when he was asked whether leaving out skipper Aaron Mokoena from the squad is something the nation can look forward to more often.
"Aaron is the captain of the team and he has shown ability on and off the field. When have you ever heard, in all the years of him playing for Bafana that he is late to camp or doesn't want to join the team?," asked Mosimane.
"It never happens because he is dedicated and committed. It is not only Pitso pushing his agenda like I read, he got the Freedom of the City of London too, because he is respected.
"And also, you don't win 105 caps for nothing. His contribution, attitude and mentality is top notch."
Mosimane revealed one player he did intend to call up was Ajax Cape Town's Thulani Serero. He enquired from Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba if the attacking midfielder will be needed for Under-23 duty.
The Amaglug-glug boss revealed that he asked the Urban Warriors to release the player, but they said he was injured.
However, Serero has been donning the Ajax shirt in recent games. When asked if he would bring disciplinary action against the club, Mosimane said: "It is not my job to fight with coaches and I don't want to fight with coaches. We have an administration (SAFA) that deal with things like that."
The Bafana Bafana boss, speaking ahead of Wednesday's friendly with USA at Cape Town Stadium, explained some of his decisions when announcing the final squad.
He also hit out some parts of the media, who via their radio and TV shows have been playing the part of the coach and putting forward what they feel should be the Bafana XI.
New-boy Davide Somma, who is set to make his debut against Bob Bradley's men, has taken some flak from pundits who feel he is not loyal to the national team, but rather to the idea of playing international football.
Mosimane labelled this notion absurd as the in-form striker is a welcome addition to the goal-shy Bafana set-up.
The former SuperSport United mentor also made it clear Matthew Pattison was not included due to media pressure, but on merit.
"It was me who gave Pattison his first cap against Egypt (in 2006)," said Mosimane.
"I was the one who alerted (former coach Carlos Alberto) Parreira to him.
"One thing I must say is I don't bow to pressure. And I think you can all see that with Teko (Modise).
The midfielder has hardly kicked a ball for Orlando Pirates this season, prompting calls for his axing.
But Mosimane revealed Modise is a leader and has the experience to motivate the younger players in camp.
The coach was annoyed when he was asked whether leaving out skipper Aaron Mokoena from the squad is something the nation can look forward to more often.
"Aaron is the captain of the team and he has shown ability on and off the field. When have you ever heard, in all the years of him playing for Bafana that he is late to camp or doesn't want to join the team?," asked Mosimane.
"It never happens because he is dedicated and committed. It is not only Pitso pushing his agenda like I read, he got the Freedom of the City of London too, because he is respected.
"And also, you don't win 105 caps for nothing. His contribution, attitude and mentality is top notch."
Mosimane revealed one player he did intend to call up was Ajax Cape Town's Thulani Serero. He enquired from Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba if the attacking midfielder will be needed for Under-23 duty.
The Amaglug-glug boss revealed that he asked the Urban Warriors to release the player, but they said he was injured.
However, Serero has been donning the Ajax shirt in recent games. When asked if he would bring disciplinary action against the club, Mosimane said: "It is not my job to fight with coaches and I don't want to fight with coaches. We have an administration (SAFA) that deal with things like that."
