Mahlangu: Pitso has to solve this Bafana problem!

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Jabu Mahlangu believes national team head coach Pitso Mosimane urgently needs to solve the team's creative conundrum by unearthing a natural number 10.

Speaking on SABC's SoccerZone following Bafana's 1-0 victory over Egypt, Mahlangu raised concerns about the depth in the playmaker role.

Mosimane chose to rest regular options Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis—both capable of slotting into the pocket—and handed a start to Luther Singh in the advanced midfield role.

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Mahlangu on Singh as a number 10

Despite the positive result, 'Shuffle' insists the nation remains severely short of top-tier options to pull the strings effectively.

"I think with the 10 role, we need to focus; we need to zoom in on it. We need other players. We need to produce other 10s," said the man known as 'Shuffle' during his playing days.

"Because if Rele gets injured or, let’s say maybe Mshishi is not at his best, we have a problem.

"Today (Sunday) we saw that Sigh is a versatile player, but for a number 10, I don’t think he is that clever to play that position. That position needs a very very clever player that will be able to connect."

"So that’s where we lacked a bit. It showed us that we need to start building and finding number 10s."

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Number 10 role a problem position for Bafana?

The creative position has been a long-standing headache for the national team, previously forcing former coach Hugo Broos to famously recall Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane into the setup despite his advanced age.

Over recent years, Bafana Bafana have tried a succession of players to resolve the playmaking dilemma, including experimenting with Percy Tau in a central role, alongside domestic talents like Sipho Mbule and even shifting Teboho Mokoena higher up the pitch.

Mahlangu’s assessment underscores a persistent structural issue in South African football, where genuine, orchestrating midfielders remain a rare commodity.

Mosimane will have little time to ponder these tactical tweaks as attention shifts back to competitive action in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana's next match will see them host Kenya in a first of back-to-back fixtures against the East African nation next month.

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Bafana Bafana Jabu Mahlangu Luther Singh News Pitso Mosimane