{
  "id": 11180149,
  "title": "Mosimane lauds Bafana heroes Appollis and Mofokeng",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/mosimane-lauds-bafana-heroes-appollis-and-mofokeng",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/mosimane-lauds-bafana-heroes-appollis-mofokeng/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pitso Mosimane commended attacking stars Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng for their remarkable performances in Bafana Bafana's impressive 5-0 victory over Eritrea during Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Wednesday at the Al Salaam Stadium in Cairo. Appollis put in a stellar display, contributing three assists that set up goals for Mofokeng, Iqraam Rayners, and Luther Singh. Meanwhile, Mofokeng put on a show in the first half, scoring a brace, marking his first goals for the national team. \"I am happy with the assists from Appollis, he can play anywhere, on the side or he can come inside,\" Mosimane remarked. \"He gave an assist for Luther Singh who had a chance to come back (Singh had been part of the Bafana squad for the first time in over five years).\" Mofokeng, too, was lauded for his top-level play, \"And Rele showed his class, what a top player.\" Bafana will now face Egypt in an international friendly on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium. Mosimane expressed concern over his lack of central midfielders for the match, with Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas both suffering injuries during this camp. Aubaas had to leave the Eritrea match after just 12 minutes, forcing replacement Brooklyn Poggenpoel to make his debut. Poggenpoel performed well, and Mosimane believes he will partner Sphephelo Sithole in midfield against Egypt. \"Aubaas is one unfortunate player,\" Mosimane added. \"He missed the World Cup with injury and he was ready to come on and to play again. And he broke down. It is a shame, he was crying in the dressing room but we are there to support him. He is a good player and will soon be back in the national team.\" Teboho is also injured, leaving Bafana with a shortage of experienced players in midfield. Mosimane sees this as an opportunity to bring in the experienced Yaya Sithole, who is the only one left. While Mosimane is satisfied with his team's first two games back in charge, he acknowledges that they need to improve their goal-scoring. \"We area bit thin on central midfielders. We had to bring Themba Zwane on to play in midfield (against Eritrea). We wanted to take Yaya (Sithole) out because he is the only experienced one left.\" Mosimane can be content with his team's performance so far, noting that six points out of six in AFCON qualifying Group D is a strong start.",
  "summary": "'I am happy with the ... assists from Appollis, he can play anywhere, on the side or he can come inside,' said the Bafana head coach.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Mofokeng turns on the style as Bafana rout Eritrea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/mofokeng-turns-on-the-style-as-bafana-rout-eritrea",
        "published": "2026-09-30T18:00:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Mofokeng brace helps South Africa crush Eritrea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/mofokeng-brace-helps-south-africa-crush-eritrea",
        "published": "2026-09-30T21:20:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Mofokeng brace helps South Africa crush Eritrea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/mofokeng-brace-helps-south-africa-crush-eritrea-11048470",
        "published": "2026-09-30T22:35:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "‘He’s just God-given’: Mosimane wants more from Mofokeng at Bafana",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/hes-just-god-given-mosimane-wants-more-from-mofokeng-at-bafana",
        "published": "2026-10-01T11:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Mosimane hails Appollis, Mofokeng as Bafana tighten grip on Group D",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/mosimane-hails-appollis-mofokeng-as-bafana-tighten-grip-on-group-d",
        "published": "2026-10-01T16:42:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}