Former Bafana Bafana of South Africa head coach, Pitso Mosimane, has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as an unbelievable team despite their early struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Eagles kicked off the qualifiers in Group C with two draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
After forcing Lesotho to a 1-1 draw in Uyo on matchday one, the Jose Peseiro-led team played another 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Rwanda.
The result leaves the Eagles in third spot behind leaders Rwanda and second placed South Africa.
In a recent interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA), Mosimane, who handled Bafana from 2010 to 2012, acknowledging the talents within the squad.
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The former Al Ahly coach also expressed his desire to lead a team to the FIFA World Cup.
“To be honest, I would like to coach in the World Cup. I do not choose what comes, I would like to go to the World Cup. South Africa wants to qualify, Nigeria wants to qualify,
“If you have Chukuweze and the boy playing for Napoli as your striker, I mean really. That Nigerian team is unbelievable.”
He added:“Of course, I want South Africa to win because I am South African. But in reality, I think Nigeria has the team, man,” he stated.
Speaking on the Eagles’ performances in the World Cup qualifiers, Mosimane expressed concern about potential interference affecting the team’s dynamics.
“I saw the draw against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Okay, it’s football, it happens. But how can politics between the government and the federation derail the team?” he quizzed.
The qualifiers will resume in June 2024 with the Eagles hosting Bafana in matchday three.
Mosimane led Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title in 2016 and five Premier Soccer League crowns.
He was appointed head coach of Al Ahly and won back-to-back Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021.
He was the first non-Egyptian African to manage the Egyptian giants.
In 2020 he led Al Ahly to a third place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Palmeiras of Brazil on penalties.
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COMMENTS
“…..Mosimane led Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title in 2016 and five Premier Soccer League crowns. He was appointed head coach of Al Ahly and won back-to-back Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021. He was the first non-Egyptian African to manage the Egyptian giants. In 2020 he led Al Ahly to a third place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Palmeiras of Brazil on penalties….”
Our 1994 set overrated guadiolas and their e-dogs should read the paragraph above and know peace.
There is a place of merit and pedigree in coaching the national team of a big country like Nigeria as at the year 2024.
He is the best man for super eagles for now and probably the best coach from Africa today.
Exactly what I told one mumu singing amunikes praise bcos he won U17, I will ask the NFF to go for this dude above any of our local coaches, yes he is from same Africa, but with better pedigree and record.
These are coaches that will work their ass to make sure eagles excel. We need a coach that will sit in Nigeria to monitor our leagues and call up few domestic players to beef the team .He is the best
I understand the NFF is expecting Paseiro to do poorly at Afcon in January so he can booted out immediately as per failing to meet his contract clause, with Gambian coach Tom Saintfelt and Pitso Motsimane penciled down as favorites to take ocharge by mid-February or so.
What I don’t understand is SiaSia saying that if the NFF wants him, he’s ready to come back. Why should Siasia be in the mix, someone with no record at senior team level, whether national team or club level? Besides he couldn’t contest FIFA’s allegation against him, which is an admission of guilt and casts a big shadow of doubt on some of his “impressive” records at the age-grade level, such as the so-called win over Brazil.
If Saintfelt (who’s been doing great things with lowly Gambia since 2021 Afcon) or the no-nonsense Motsimane is contracted, we should get seasoned local coaches to assist him – Boboye, Ogunmodede, or Ilechukwu (or all 3 plus Carl Ikeme). Maybe we should leave out all the 1994 sets this time (Finidi, Amuneke, Eguavoen, Alloy Agu, Ike Shorunmu, etc).
SE COACHING CREW for 2016 WCQ from Feb 2024
Saintfelt/Motsimane
Kennedy Boboye
Gbenga Ogunmodede
Felix Ilechukwu
Carl Ikeme
I think you’re on point. Pitso Mosimane is the best coach in Africa presently. Most of our 1994 Super Eagles has never proven any point as per coaching except late Stephen Keshi.
There is no way we shouldn’t be going this route with Pitso.
He is an over achiever and he’s already ‘stylishly ‘ clamouring for the Eagles job over his own nation. It means he is mentally ready for the job.
At the needed time, I sincerely hope the FA seize the initiative and get him for us. For me, he is top on the list.
Affordable, great credentials, grounded ethics and result oriented;I dare say, why not?!
I would prefer motsimane but we are in same
Group with his country, I know that dnt matter but men I’m skeptical, if NFF is dishing peseiro after AFCON, for now we shd go for the Belgian man.
I’m with you on this.
If we look at the pros – he’s an over-achiever, he has in depth knowledge of SA and African football, and he’s hungry for some WC action. Cons – he’s from SA so might sabotage SE’s chances, but his integrity would be tarnished.
I would prefer motsimane but we are in same
Group with his country, I know that dnt matter but men I’m skeptical, if NFF is dishing peseiro after AFCON, for now we shd go for the Belgian man.
That’s a point @Femi but I doubt he’ll be that unprofessional. Players and coaches are first and foremost loyal to their employers and badges. Just yesterday, Carlos Ancelloti, an Italian with Real Madrid, beat Napoli, an Italian club 4 -2.
The other point is the issue of wages. It seems Motsimane was earning as much as $90K at Ahly. I doubt Nigeria can afford anything more than $50K at the moment. On the other hand, Saintfeit has applied for this job several times and is willing to take anything less than Paseiro currently earns. I know Nigeria is much richer than the Gambia, so we should be able to match and surpass whatever he’s currently earning.
Hopefully, the prospect of coaching a quality team like the SE at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be enough motivation enough for Motsimane to take what the NFF can afford without stress and hullabaloo. Will be nice to have a record-setting all-African coaching crew at the WC. That would also make SA throw their support behind us at the tournament after we hopefully edge them to the ticket.
I think in terms of club achievements there is none greater than Pitso at the maoment in Africa.The next logical step for him is national team management for which he seems prepared and have thrown his hat into the ring.
He is a no nonsense coach and I doubt if the selfish NFF can work with him.He led Al ahly to beat mamelodi sundown twice in south Africa, So he is a pro.The NFF are already looking in the direction of Tom Saintfelt though
Pitso is the man, please… He has the record and should be affordable…..Vincent Enyeama or Carl Ikeme as Goal keeper trainer….My only fear for him is if he has home bred backroom staff who are prone to want to sabotage him…. We don’t have the ones with integrity anymore…not even Daniel Amokachie….