Pitso Mosimane Set for Bafana Bafana Return After SAFA Approves Appointment
Pitso Mosimane is on the verge of a dramatic return to the Bafana Bafana hot seat after the South African Football Association’s National Executive Committee approved his appointment as the national team’s new head coach.
The decision was taken during an extraordinary NEC meeting at SAFA House on Saturday, 8 August 2026, paving the way for Mosimane to return to the position he last held more than a decade ago.
SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC had backed the appointment, although he said several outstanding matters still needed to be finalised before the coach could be formally unveiled.
“The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement of the coach next week,” Jordaan said.
The announcement marks the potential beginning of a new chapter for one of South Africa’s most decorated football coaches.
Mosimane Set for Bafana Return
Mosimane previously coached Bafana Bafana between 2010 and 2012. His return would come at a pivotal moment for the national team, following the departure of Belgian coach Hugo Broos.
Broos took charge in 2021 and left after his five-year contract expired at the end of July.
His tenure produced some of the most significant results achieved by Bafana in recent years.
Under Broos, South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 24-year wait to return to the global tournament.
The team also made history by reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time, including a 1-0 victory over South Korea.
Broos also guided Bafana to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Now, Mosimane is expected to inherit a team with renewed expectations and a growing belief that Bafana can compete with Africa’s strongest sides.
A Record of Success
Mosimane brings considerable experience to the role.
The coach is regarded as one of Africa’s most successful managers, having won multiple domestic league titles and three CAF Champions League trophies.
His Champions League triumphs came during highly successful spells with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
At Sundowns, Mosimane became the first South African coach to lead the club to CAF Champions League glory in 2016.
He later achieved further continental success with Al Ahly, winning the competition twice and cementing his reputation on the African football stage.
His previous experience with Bafana, combined with his record at club level, made him one of the leading contenders for the position.
More Than 80 Candidates Considered
Mosimane reportedly applied for the position following the World Cup and eventually emerged as the frontrunner from a field of more than 80 candidates.
His selection represents a major vote of confidence from SAFA as the association prepares for another important phase in the national team’s development.
The timing is significant.
Bafana are scheduled to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September, leaving the incoming coach with limited time to settle into the role and prepare the squad for competitive action.
Formal Announcement Expected Next Week
Although the NEC has approved Mosimane’s appointment, SAFA has stressed that the process is not yet completely finalised.
Jordaan’s comments indicate that remaining contractual or administrative matters must still be concluded before the appointment becomes official.
A formal announcement and unveiling are expected in the coming days.
For Mosimane, a return to Bafana would represent a remarkable second chance to lead the national team.
For SAFA, the appointment signals an attempt to build on the progress made under Broos while placing one of South Africa’s most experienced coaches at the centre of the next phase.
The expectations will be high.
With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers approaching, Mosimane could soon be tasked with turning Bafana’s recent progress into sustained success on the continental stage.
