{
  "id": 11172621,
  "title": "Bafana legend Makalakalane happy with Mosimane’s approach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/bafana-legend-makalakalane-happy-with-mosimanes-approach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:05:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana-legend-makalakalane-happy-with-mosimanes-approach/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bafana Bafana veteran Augustine Makalakalane has expressed satisfaction with coach Pitso Mosimane's approach in maintaining the squad's continuity after successive wins against Guinea and Eritrea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Despite injuries to regulars like Khuliso Mudau, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha and the loss of Jayden Adams, Mosimane opted to stick with the core team that participated in the FIFA World Cup rather than making significant changes. Makalakalane, who believes Mosimane was right to build upon the work of former coach Hugo Broos, praised Mosimane's decision to retain most of the World Cup participants who possess experience and competitiveness. He highlighted the team's euphoria from reaching the knockout stages at their historic World Cup campaign in 1996, which he believes can provide an added boost to the current squad under Mosimane's leadership. Makalakalane stressed that the players have been playing on international stages recently, and the coach needs to be meticulous and efficient, relying on a winning mentality from the team members. As someone who has been part of the squad that won the 1996 AFCON on home soil, Makalakalane fully understands the significance of momentum and continuity in football.",
  "summary": "\"Coach Pitso has done an excellent job by keeping most of the players from the World Cup,\" Makalakalane said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Augustine Makalakalane satisfied with Pitso Mosimane's approach.",
    "Mosimane retains core team from FIFA World Cup qualifiers.",
    "Makalakalane praises Mosimane's decision to build on Broos' legacy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}