Pitso Mosimane has returned to take charge of the South African national team after being selected by the local football association to succeed Belgian manager Hugo Broos, marking the dawn of a new phase for the “Bafana Bafana” project.
Mosimane won the race against a shortlist of local and foreign coaches after presenting the technical committee with his comprehensive vision for developing the national team and bridging the senior squad with the youth setups.
The 62-year-old manager begins his tenure succeeding Broos, who departed following South Africa’s campaign in the 2026 World Cup, concluding a successful stint that began in May 2021. Under Broos, the team secured a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Broos then made history by leading Bafana Bafana to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, bowing out to Canada in the Round of 32.
A Return to Familiar Territory
This mission is not Mosimane’s first stint with his national team:
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Early Years: He previously managed South Africa on an interim basis for seven matches in 2007, before serving as an assistant to Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira during the 2010 World Cup.
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First Permanent Stint: Mosimane took the head coach position permanently after the World Cup but failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Departure: He was dismissed in June 2012 following a 1-1 home draw against Ethiopia in the opening 2014 World Cup qualifier, a result that capped a six-match winless streak.
Today, the South African manager returns with vastly more experience, having transformed into one of the most successful coaches in the continent’s history.
An Exceptional African Journey
Mosimane built his legacy with Mamelodi Sundowns, leading them to five South African Premier Division titles, alongside winning the CAF Champions League in 2016 and the CAF Super Cup the following year.
He then moved to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2020, where he won back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, two CAF Super Cups, and the Egypt Cup, while also securing two FIFA Club World Cup bronze medals.
Following his departure from Al Ahly, Mosimane embarked on several managerial journeys in the Arab world and Asia. He successfully guided Al-Ahli Jeddah back to the Saudi Pro League, then managed UAE’s Al Wahda, Saudi Arabia’s Abha, and Iran’s Esteghlal—his final stop before returning to Bafana Bafana.
Heavy Challenges Await Mosimane
Mosimane will face a series of critical tests as he steps back into the national setup:
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Maintaining Momentum: His first challenge will be to preserve the strong foundation built by Broos, utilizing a stable core of players led by Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, and Lyle Foster.
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AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: He must navigate Bafana Bafana through the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kicking off in September, where they are grouped with Guinea, Eritrea, and Kenya (one of the tournament’s three host nations).
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Title Ambitions: The task isn’t just to qualify; fan expectations are soaring toward competing for the title following their recent bronze medal. Mosimane himself has previously stated that Bafana Bafana has the capability to win the tournament.
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Generational Transition: He will need to inject fresh blood into the squad without dismantling the structure that shined at the World Cup, preparing a generation capable of reaching the 2030 World Cup and cementing South Africa’s status among the continent’s elite powerhouses.
