Pitso Mosimane is set for a sensational return to the Bafana Bafana dugout after the South African Football Association’s National Executive Committee approved his appointment as the new senior national team head coach.
The decision was taken during an extraordinary NEC meeting at SAFA House on Saturday, 8 August, as the association moved closer to finalising Hugo Broos’ successor.
Mosimane’s appointment has been approved in principle, with only the remaining contractual and administrative details still to be concluded before his formal unveiling.
SAFA Gives Mosimane the Green Light
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC had approved Mosimane’s appointment and that the association expects to formally present the new Bafana coach next week.
The development brings an end to uncertainty over who will succeed Broos following the Belgian’s departure at the end of July.
Broos left after five years in charge, having overseen Bafana’s resurgence on the international stage and guided South Africa to the knockout phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mosimane will now inherit a national team that has made significant progress and faces expectations to build on that foundation.
Pitso Returns to Bafana
The appointment marks Mosimane’s second spell in charge of South Africa’s senior national team.
He previously coached Bafana Bafana between 2010 and 2012 before going on to establish himself as one of Africa’s most decorated coaches.
His subsequent club career included a hugely successful period with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the CAF Champions League, before moving to Egyptian giants Al Ahly and adding further continental honours to his collection.
Mosimane has since gained coaching experience across several countries, further strengthening his reputation across African and Middle Eastern football.
A Very Different Bafana Awaits
Mosimane returns to a national team in a considerably different position from the one he previously inherited.
Bafana secured an AFCON bronze medal under Broos before qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and progressing beyond the group stage.
The challenge for Mosimane will therefore not simply be rebuilding the national team, but maintaining and potentially improving the standards established during the Broos era.
Immediate AFCON Challenge
There will be little time for Mosimane to settle into the position once the remaining details of his appointment are completed.
South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign continues next month, with matches against Guinea and Eritrea awaiting the new technical team.
Those fixtures could provide Mosimane with his first opportunity to lead Bafana Bafana since his previous tenure ended in 2012.
Fourteen years later, one of South Africa’s most decorated coaches is on the verge of returning to the country’s biggest coaching job.