By: Saneliso Mlambo
Pitso Mosimane says Bafana Bafana needs more white players based on footballing talent.
Mosimane made the comments during an eNCA CheckPoint podcast interview with Nkepile Mabuse. He questioned why young white players often disappear from football development pathways.
“We need white football players,” Mosimane said. “We need white players in Bafana. We need them. Why not?”
Mosimane said South African white kids already participate in youth football programmes. However, he questioned why some players fail to progress into senior football.
“Why They play at the youth,” Mosimane said. “But they fall off along the way, right?”
The former Bafana coach also added that football development must start while children attend school. He argued that waiting until players become older limits opportunities to develop talent.
“You’ve got to start nurturing the talent at school level,” Mosimane said. “It’s too late when the kids are a bit older.”
Mosimane said football selection should focus strictly on ability rather than race or background. He argued that talented players should receive opportunities regardless of their identity or family connections.
“In football, we don’t care what color you are, where you’re from,” Mosimane said. “If you know how to play football, you will play.”
Mosimane also rejected connections as a factor in selecting players. He said coaches should focus on what players demonstrate on the football field.
“We don’t care about connection,” Mosimane said. “Play, we see the talent, we want you.”
He pointed to European football as an example of players receiving opportunities across racial backgrounds. Mosimane said France’s national team includes many players with African heritage.
“You can see it even in Europe,” Mosimane said. “You can see France is full of Africans.”
Mosimane said South African football should create stronger pathways through schools. He also said government could help expand school football programmes and identify talent earlier.
Mosimane’s comments come as he begins his new role with Bafana Bafana. His focus is now on strengthening South Africa’s player development and national team pipeline. He wants talent identified early and selected purely on footballing ability.