The Italian tactician, who formerly served as assistant coach at English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been brought into the Lidoda Duvha technical department following their promotion to the Absa Premiership.
Having previously worked as a director of football in Congo before a brief managerial stint in Libya, Cusin feels African teams should not forego their identity in trying to emulate their European counterparts.
“This is not correct because we are not in Italy here, and we don’t have Italian players,” said Cusin.
“This is a mistake of many African teams at the World Cup – they want to play like Europe, forgetting the blood, which is more important than the style.
“So, we are in Africa and therefore we have to play like African players, but it does not mean that I don’t have anything to give in the position, tactical and training side.
“Maybe one little bit of information can change one good player into a great player, but we are in Africa so we have to take care of the African style and culture of the country.”
The former Italy Under-21 team scout also believes the continent offers some of the best football talent in the world, but could perhaps require more tactical nurturing.
“I started working in Africa because I’ve always believed here you have the best players in the world, along with Brazil and such countries,” he further commented.
“So, why until now you [African teams] didn’t win the World Cup – this is the question? The answer could be that maybe we have to work more on the tactical side.
“We have to give all the material methodology for the players, and that’s why my challenge is to build winning players first and foremost.”