Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed an important addition to the national team's technical setup, explaining how the appointment is expected to strengthen the support available to players beyond their football responsibilities.

Mosimane highlighted the importance of looking after footballers' emotional and social well-being, insisting that a coach's responsibility should not be limited to monitoring fitness levels, tactical discipline and performances on the pitch.

According to the coach, international footballers face different pressures, particularly when they arrive for national team duty after experiencing difficult situations at their respective clubs or in their personal lives.

He explained that some players may be dealing with disappointment following poor results, family challenges or other personal circumstances that could affect their concentration and confidence.

To address such situations, Bafana Bafana have brought in specialist support to help players manage emotional and psychological difficulties during national team camps.

Mosimane believes having someone with the appropriate professional qualifications is important because coaches are not necessarily equipped to handle every personal challenge their players encounter.

“That’s our job as coaches, we don’t just check the bodies, also the social side of the game, so we do our best to try and support, it’s so good to have someone who is clinically or academically the right person."

His comments underline the growing recognition of mental health and psychological preparation in modern football. While physical conditioning and tactical preparation remain essential, players also need the right environment to perform consistently.

The coach explained that the technical team aims to create an atmosphere where footballers feel comfortable discussing challenges rather than carrying their problems into training sessions and competitive matches.

The addition is expected to complement the existing work of the coaching staff by providing professional assistance when players require more specialised attention.

For Bafana Bafana, the move reflects an approach that considers footballers as individuals whose well-being can influence their performances and overall development.

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