Johannesburg - Pitso Mosimane believes Bafana Bafana's upcoming friendly against Ghana will provide a true indication of how far the national team has come.
The new head coach, who assumed the reins from Carlos Alberto Parreira last week, faces his first test in the hotseat against the Black Stars.
The match is pencilled in for August 11 at Soccer City and Mosimane, who watched Ghana being robbed of a semi-final spot at the World Cup, is aware the clash will act as a progress barometre for Bafana.
"Let us judge ourselves against people in front of us first and not France, who tomorrow can get their house in order and win Euro 2012. The team is there, it is not the best but it is there," he said, commenting on the friendly with the west Africans.
"You can see the difference between us and Ghana in terms of mentality and work rate. We are targeting doing better in Africa."
Mosimane once again preached about the benefits of youth development, something which his predecessor Parreira took some flak for from SAFA back in 2007.
"Ghana is second in Africa and 23 in the world. How did they get there? Where are we in relation to that?
"Ghana focused on development and their senior side is reaping the rewards of investing in junior national sides," said Mosimane, who warned the nation that it is time to "fasten our seatbelts and keep our composure."
The new head coach, who assumed the reins from Carlos Alberto Parreira last week, faces his first test in the hotseat against the Black Stars.
The match is pencilled in for August 11 at Soccer City and Mosimane, who watched Ghana being robbed of a semi-final spot at the World Cup, is aware the clash will act as a progress barometre for Bafana.
"Let us judge ourselves against people in front of us first and not France, who tomorrow can get their house in order and win Euro 2012. The team is there, it is not the best but it is there," he said, commenting on the friendly with the west Africans.
"You can see the difference between us and Ghana in terms of mentality and work rate. We are targeting doing better in Africa."
Mosimane once again preached about the benefits of youth development, something which his predecessor Parreira took some flak for from SAFA back in 2007.
"Ghana is second in Africa and 23 in the world. How did they get there? Where are we in relation to that?
"Ghana focused on development and their senior side is reaping the rewards of investing in junior national sides," said Mosimane, who warned the nation that it is time to "fasten our seatbelts and keep our composure."