South Africa is moving to bring Pitso Mosimane back as Bafana Bafana coach, with South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan saying Mosimane is the association’s preferred choice for the national-team role.
Reuters reported on 8 August that final details still need to be completed before a formal announcement, which is expected next week.
Mosimane previously coached Bafana Bafana before building a highly successful club career that included major domestic and continental titles with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.
A return to the national team
If the appointment is completed, Mosimane would return to a role he previously held from 2010 to 2012. His first spell ended before he went on to establish himself as one of the most successful African coaches of his generation at club level.
At Mamelodi Sundowns, he won multiple domestic league titles and led the club to the CAF Champions League crown in 2016. He later moved to Al Ahly, where he won further continental honours and strengthened his reputation across African football.
That experience means any second spell with Bafana Bafana would begin from a very different position. Mosimane would return with a substantially stronger continental record, broader experience of high-pressure knockout football and a deeper understanding of African club competition.
South Africa looks ahead to AFCON qualification
The timing is important. South Africa is preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with fixtures against Guinea and Eritrea among the immediate assignments expected for the next coach.
Bafana Bafana have shown signs of renewed competitiveness in recent years, and the next appointment will be expected to sustain that progress while also improving consistency in qualification campaigns.
The national team carries significant expectations because of South Africa’s football infrastructure, domestic league and commercial strength. Results at continental level have not always matched those advantages, which is one reason the coaching appointment will attract close scrutiny.
Mosimane brings continental experience
Mosimane’s record makes him a particularly significant candidate. Few African coaches have accumulated comparable experience across domestic leagues, CAF competitions and major club environments.
His tactical approach has often combined structured possession with aggressive pressing and detailed opposition preparation. At international level, however, he would need to adapt those methods to shorter camps, limited training time and a player pool spread across different leagues.
Squad management would also be central. South Africa has a mix of domestic-based players and professionals competing abroad, and the next coach will need to establish continuity while remaining flexible enough to respond to form, injuries and qualification demands.
SAFA yet to make the appointment official
Despite Jordaan’s comments, the appointment has not yet been formally completed. Contract terms and other details still need to be finalised before SAFA can confirm Mosimane as the new Bafana Bafana coach.
That distinction matters because football appointments can change until agreements are signed and announced. For now, Mosimane should be regarded as SAFA’s preferred candidate and the leading choice for the role, rather than the confirmed national-team coach.
If the deal is concluded, the focus will quickly turn from the symbolism of his return to the practical task of preparing South Africa for competitive fixtures and building a team capable of challenging deeper into major African tournaments.
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