Pitso opens up on 'pressure' ahead of Guinea AFCON qualifier
by Thato Bosoga · KickOffBafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has opened up on the pressure they are facing as coaches, after Guinea coach Paulo Duarte excused himself from the pre-match press conference at Orlando Stadium on Friday.
Duarte opted to bluetick his media duties as the head coach of Syli National and instead sent his third assistant coach Mamadouba Sylla to the pre-match press conference, to the dismay of South African Journalists who were packed at the auditorium.
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The Portuguese coach is facing pressure after Guinea did not qualify for the previous Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and results have not gone their way in their recent friendly matches, currently on a four-game winless run.
Mosimane, during his turn to address the media, said he could understand the pressure the coach is under, which comes with the territory.
"I don't think there's any coach who is not under pressure at this level, we're all under pressure, internationally, in Europe, I mean the minute you don't feel the pressure, arrogance and complacency creeps in, yes there's pressure," Mosimane said.
"We have to understand that this is part of the package of being a coach at national level, there's expectations, results are expected but we have to live with the pressure.
"Otherwise we would not be here. I understand what you're saying about the other coach. I guess we feel the same pressure in the group, Benni (McCarthy) also feels the pressure," Mosimane said.
"So ja it's part of the game, it's normal," the veteran coach added.
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Bafana will open their Group D campaign against Guinea on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Stadium, with Kenya and Eritrea completing the section.
Only the group winner will qualify for the 2027 AFCON, as The Harambee Stars are one of the co-hosts. A team finishing second will go through if Benni McCarthy's charges top the group at the end of the round-robin.