By Dorcas Francis Koji
Pitso Mosimane has officially been confirmed as the new head coach of South Africa, returning to the Bafana Bafana job for a second spell after the South African Football Association (SAFA) approved his appointment 24 days earlier.
The confirmation came on Tuesday, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding the appointment. SAFA president Danny Jordaan had revealed on August 8 that the association still needed to “tie up some loose ends”, but the final confirmation took longer than expected.
Mosimane replaces Belgian coach Hugo Broos, 74, who retired after guiding South Africa to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America — the country’s first-ever appearance in the knockout phase of the expanded tournament.
The 62-year-old Mosimane faces an immediate challenge, with only 23 days to prepare Bafana Bafana for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture against Guinea at home.
Guinea may have missed out on the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, but they possess a major attacking threat in Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, one of Africa’s leading Europe-based forwards.
Mosimane returns to the South Africa dugout more than a decade after his first spell in charge. His initial tenure, which lasted from 2010 to 2012, ended unsuccessfully after the team failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON.
He was eventually dismissed following a disappointing home draw against Ethiopia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Despite his difficult first experience with the national team, Mosimane went on to establish himself as one of Africa’s most successful club coaches.
He guided Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title before moving to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, where he won the prestigious competition twice.
Mosimane also lifted the CAF Super Cup on three occasions, taking his total number of CAF club competition trophies to six. That record makes him the most successful Black coach in CAF club competitions, although Portuguese coach Manuel José remains ahead overall with eight titles won with Al Ahly.
After leaving Al Ahly, Mosimane continued his coaching career in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, gaining further experience outside South Africa.
His new contract with Bafana Bafana runs through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Mosimane’s immediate priority, however, will be securing a strong start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign and ensuring that his second stint with South Africa produces a vastly different outcome from his first.
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