The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially unveiled Pitso Mosimane as the new head coach of Bafana Bafana during a media briefing at SAFA House in Nasrec, Johannesburg.
The appointment marks a high-profile homecoming for South Africa's most decorated manager, who takes over the hot seat following the departure of Belgian coach Hugo Broos after Bafana Bafana's historic campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A triumphant return years in the making
For Mosimane, this represents his third stint at the helm of the national team, following a brief caretaker spell in 2006 and a permanent tenure from 2010 to 2012. His first full spell ended under the cloud of a costly miscalculation of qualification rules that saw South Africa miss out on the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the “Jingles” who returns to SAFA House is a vastly different manager from the one who left fourteen years ago. In the intervening years, Mosimane built an unassailable legacy on the continent. He turned Mamelodi Sundowns into a domestic dynasty and captured the 2016 CAF Champions League, before moving to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, where he secured back-to-back CAF Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021 alongside multiple podium finishes at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Accepting the challenge, a proud Mosimane acknowledged the magnitude of the role. “I have been given the privilege of leading our national team again. I know this is simply not a coach job; it is bigger than Pitso Mosimane,” he said. “With pride and determination, I accept the challenge.”
Trusted backroom staff
Mosimane confirmed that he will be joined by trusted members of his long-standing technical team. Performance analyst Musi Matlaba and conditioning coach Kabelo Rangoaga – both of whom shared in his extensive continental and global success – will make the journey to the national setup.
“We've been together, we've had our long journey,” Mosimane noted regarding his backroom staff. “We've won 19 trophies together, among them four CAF Champions League finals, and three FIFA Club World Cups. There is enough experience, we are familiar with the FIFA World Cup.” Mosimane added that the search for an additional assistant coach is ongoing and will be announced in due course.
Immediate tests ahead
Mosimane steps into the role with little time to settle. Bafana Bafana are riding a wave of momentum following their historic second-round appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the focus must immediately shift to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
South Africa has been drawn into a group alongside Guinea, Eritrea, and tournament co-hosts Kenya. Because Kenya automatically qualifies as hosts, only one other spot is up for grabs in the pool, heightening the stakes for Mosimane's opening fixtures. The new era begins later this month with a home qualifier against Guinea on September 26, followed by a clash against Eritrea.
With a nation galvanised by recent global heroics and a proven winner now steering the ship, the latest chapter of the “Pitso Era” opens with high expectations as Bafana Bafana look to cement their status among Africa's elite.