South Africa manager Pitso Mosimane praised his players’ belief after a completely rebuilt Bafana Bafana side defeated Egypt 1-0 in a FIFA international friendly on Sunday.
The match was decided by a goal from ..., as South Africa secured victory against the Pharaohs despite making wholesale changes to the team that had featured in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Mosimane changed his side from goalkeeper to outfield players, giving opportunities to several footballers who had not taken part in the qualifiers. The manager acknowledged that integrating so many new players was difficult, but said they grew into the match and completed their task.
“We changed the whole team. It takes a little time to synchronise and integrate, but as the match progressed, we gained confidence,” Mosimane said at his post-match news conference.
“What I like, though, is that they are not afraid to play and that you have to give them a chance. I let them swim with the sharks; I threw them in at the deep end. Yes, they swam.”
The result came during the FIFA international window and gave Mosimane a successful outing with a side containing a number of players who had not previously been involved in his team’s competitive campaign.
Mosimane became head coach of Bafana Bafana after the 2026 World Cup, replacing Hugo Broos.