SAFA has confirmed the appointment of decorated coach Pitso Mosimane for a third spell in charge of Bafana Bafana.
South Africa have appointed Pitso Mosimane as their new national team coach. He returns for a third spell just weeks before crucial World Cup qualifiers. Mosimane replaces Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana (999.60) to the World Cup’s knockout stage.
Mosimane was officially unveiled during a media briefing at SAFA House on Tuesday. His appointment ends weeks of uncertainty surrounding contract negotiations with the federation. He now inherits a squad carrying considerably higher expectations following recent success.
A Long-Awaited Appointment Finally Confirmed
SAFA had initially expected to confirm Mosimane’s appointment several weeks earlier than Tuesday. Reports suggested talks stalled over disagreements regarding his overall salary package. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had publicly urged SAFA against playing hardball during negotiations.
The deal eventually came together just three weeks before September’s qualifying fixtures begin. Mosimane succeeds Hugo Broos, whose contract expired at the end of July. Broos previously guided Bafana to their first-ever World Cup knockout stage appearance.
A Decorated Coaching Career Since His Last Spell
Mosimane previously coached Bafana Bafana between 2010 and 2012 during his first spell. That tenure ended following a misunderstanding over Africa Cup of Nations qualification rules. Since then, Mosimane has become South Africa’s most decorated football coach overall.
He won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns (1.73) back in 2016. Mosimane then added two further continental titles during his spell with Al Ahly. He has also coached in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran since then. Mosimane now returns with twenty major trophies across his considerable coaching career.
An Emotional Return To The National Setup
Mosimane described his appointment as a deeply significant moment in his career: “This is a special day for me in my football career,” he said.
He stressed that leading the national team carries responsibility beyond ordinary club soccer: “When you coach Bafana Bafana, you represent your country,” Mosimane explained during his unveiling.
He also addressed comments from outgoing coach Hugo Broos regarding potential regression under new leadership. Mosimane refused to engage in criticism, instead praising his predecessor’s overall contribution.
“He has laid very good foundations for us,” Mosimane said respectfully.
A History Of Draws Overshadowing Defensive Solidity
Mosimane’s previous two spells produced a record of nine wins from twenty-three matches. His sides drew ten matches and lost only four during that period. Bafana kept seventeen clean sheets, but frequently struggled to convert control into victories. They failed to score in ten of those twenty-three total matches overall.
Notably, South Africa never won a single match in which they conceded. That defensive record suggests a cautious approach that ultimately contributed to his exit. Mosimane’s more attacking club sides suggest a different approach might follow this time.
Immediate Focus Turns To Crucial Qualifiers
Mosimane’s first assignment arrives with a home qualifier against Guinea on September 26. Bafana then travel to neutral territory in Egypt to face Eritrea. They face Benni McCarthy’s Kenya home and away during November’s international window.
Only one qualifying nation from that group advances alongside co-hosts Kenya automatically. Mosimane inherits a squad with considerable momentum following their historic World Cup campaign. His challenge now involves building on that platform rather than starting completely afresh.
