Benson Mhlongo says Molefi Ntseki shouldn't be fired if Bafana Bafana miss out on Africa Cup of Nations

Bafana currently sit second in Group C, three points behind leaders Ghana after Friday's 2-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Mhlongo says it is about time South Africa learns from their past mistakes and gives coaches enough time to build a strong Bafana team.

"SAFA will decide how many years, but he needs time," Mhlongo tells snl24.com/kickoff.

When asked if he was impressed by what Ntseki is doing with Bafana, the former midfielder explains: "It's not about being impressed, it's about changing the way we do things. We didn't succeed over the years [because] we hire, two years we fire... it doesn't work.

"So let's change the pattern. Let's give a coach time to show us what he wants to do. Because what he wants to do determines which players he chooses.

"Right now we are choosing players for him, we are saying the likes of [Bongani] Zungu must come, and the likes of [Lyle] Lakay have scored a free-kick they must play... football is not about that, it's about the system, and the system will tell you which players you must choose. Because each and every position has got its own function.

"So if you drive a car and you don't know how to use the pedals, you can't drive the car. That vehicle must have wheels, must have the gear, must have pedals, steering wheel... not any type of steering wheel for every car.

"So players must be profiled according to the type of football he wants to play, not according to what we want to see. Whether he fails to qualify that's irrelevant right now. As a country let's change our pattern of working, it doesn't work. Let's give a coach time, then we can talk.

GK - Roger de Sa - Gave me my first professional contract at Wits.

RB - Sipho Lingwati (left) - The coach who developed me.

LB - Joe Ferreira - The coach who enhanced my football development.

CB - Gora Ebrahim - The coach who taught me how to play centre-back.

AM - Floyd Mogale - Recruited me to join Wits University.

DM - Clive Barker - Selected me to play for Bafana Bafana All Stars in Lucas Radebe's benefit match in 2005.

RW - John Moshoeu - Legend Shoes Moshoeu helped me adjust at the national team.

LW - Obed Padi - From Alex who always helped me to stay in football and always took me to trials.

CF - Floyd Mbele (left) - Was always there to help me stay grounded and play professional football, and mentored me.

CF - Doctor Mphasha - Was there for me in Alex to help me play football.

CB - Bra John Mnisi - Owner of Rangers in Alex. Converted me from goalkeeper to right-back and played me at the age of 15 in the senior team as a right-back.

Scroll right to see Mhlongo's extremely unique Dream Team (4-4-2)

"Which coach has lasted more than five years in the national team? Let's learn from our past. For an example, I'm a coach now. I don't use wingers. I don't want my players to go to the line and kick the ball into the air. That's rugby to me, that's not football. So such players they won't play for my team because I won't use them. So let's leave the coach alone and see what he can do.

"The only thing we need for the national team is glory, it's achievement. He only started now and we want AFCON? That's not fair. I think we are lost as a country. I still repeat. Let's rebuild the national team for God's sake.

"We still have a mess in the Vodacom [ABC Motsepe League]. We still have a mess in schools football. But we are dreaming of AFCON and World Cup. Why do we go overseas and come back quickly? Why can't we compete for Ballon d'Or? We are still behind. Let's fix ourselves, let's stop being jealous."