Mosimane risks repeating Bafana’s embarrassing AFCON failure

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane is in danger of missing out on qualification for another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

This follows a disappointing 2-2 draw against Kenya at home on Friday evening.

With Guinea having beaten Eritrea 2-1, the West Africans are now just one point behind Bafana after three matches.

The draw is a setback for Mosimane, particularly considering that his side still have to travel to both Kenya and Guinea.

Dropping points in those away fixtures could allow Guinea to finish top of the group and secure AFCON qualification at Bafana’s expense.

How Pitso Mosimane’s first Bafana tenure was marked by AFCON failure

Drawing at home was also the reason Bafana failed to qualify for AFCON 2012.

South Africa played to a draw against Sierra Leone in 2011, believing that the point was enough to secure qualification for the tournament.

However, it later emerged that SAFA had misinterpreted CAF’s qualification rules. Bafana, who finished level on points with Niger, missed out on qualification after losing out on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Perhaps the most embarrassing aspect was not just the failure to understand the regulations, but also the celebrations that followed the final whistle, with players believing they had qualified.

That episode became one of the defining moments of Mosimane’s first spell in charge of Bafana.

His second tenure, meanwhile, started with three consecutive victories, including an impressive win over Egypt. Although the performances were not always convincing, there was a sense of optimism surrounding his return.

Friday’s draw, however, feels like a step backwards, with critics already questioning the 62-year-old’s progress.

Wins away to Guinea and Kenya would go a long way towards securing qualification and easing the pressure on Mosimane.

Further dropped points, on the other hand, could put Bafana’s place at the next AFCON tournament in serious jeopardy.

That would be a major disappointment, not just for Jingles, but for the entire nation. Mosimane needs to win on Tuesday or else, his future at Bafana might be on the line in 2027.