Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says the team that arrived in Balta, Equatorial Guinea for their international friendly against the hosts, needed more time to reach team cohesion.
“The first session was very positive, it came out very well but we need more time for the team to gel,” Mosimane said after his side’s first training session on Wednesday ahead of their match on Friday.
The match kicks off at 6pm and it is the second change made to the fixture after it was originally scheduled for Thursday.
Mosimane has 10 new players in the squad that he was working with for the first time.
“I can tell they will play well but there will not be that normal flow of Bafana Bafana because of a change in personnel,” Mosimane said.
“Unfortunately that is the price you pay for bringing in many new players at once — it doesn’t guarantee a positive score line but you will get positive contribution.”
Mosimane said the team still played as individuals but he expected greater cohesion as they spent more time together.
Bafana has their last training session on Thursday, which will give the coach an indication of his starting line-up.
“I have seen great potential future Bafana Bafana stars and that is the positive side,” Mosimane said.
“By bringing them here we are able to confirm what we saw during the many games that we attend around the country.
“We should not put them under pressure, though, or rush them but just give them space to breath and improve.” — Sapa