Pitso Mosimane Rates Bafana Bafana’s AFCON Chances, Claims They Are in 'Group of Death'

• Pitso Mosimane believes South Africa will have a tough time in Ivory Coast in January
• South Africa were drawn in Group C alongside Mali, Tunisia, and neighbours Namibia
• The tournament kicks off on January 13 with hosts Ivory Coast playing Guinea-Bissau

Pitso Mosimane has given his opinion on what lies ahead for his old national team. He was part of the Bafana Bafana setup for six years, four as an assistant coach and two as head coach.

In that time, South Africa failed to progress past the group stage of any AFCON and failed to qualify in 2010 and 2012, the latter time leading to the future Mamelodi Sundowns coach's exit.

The currently unemployed coach believes South Africa are in a tough group but feels they will be good enough to progress. Speaking to Sunday World, Mosimane said:

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"Making it out of the group stages will be difficult; we are in a group of death. Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia are going to create a lot of problems for us."

The possibility of returning to manage Bafana Bafana has been thrown around and Mosimane was pragmatic in keeping his options open.

While he did not rule it out, he was critical of the current footballing climate in South Africa. In an interview with The Athletic, he commented:

"It’s a big responsibility, you are like the president of the country. Never say never. It has to be the right time. We need to have a vision of where we are and who we are. What do we want to achieve? I don’t believe, at this point in time, my country wants to work like that."

South Africa begin their AFCON campaign on January 16 against Mali, before facing Namibia on January 21 and wrapping up with Tunisia on January 24.

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Mosimane rates Bafana's AFCON prospects

Sports Brief also previously reported on Mosimane's optimism about South Africa's AFCON chances ahead of the tournament in January.

The veteran tactician believes Bafana Bafana are capable of reaching the knockout phase but will face tough opposition to advance.