By Levy Masiteng
Pitso Mosimane has returned as Bafana Bafana head coach.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) made the announcement at its Joburg headquarters on Tuesday.
Mosimane succeeds Hugo Broos and begins a second permanent spell in charge of the national team, more than a decade after his first tenure ended.
SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved Mosimane’s appointment on 8 August, but the association said at the time that contractual matters still had to be finalised.
“The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends,” SAFA president Danny Jordaan said at the time.
Those negotiations have since been concluded, clearing the way for Mosimane to take charge as South Africa prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Mosimane previously coached Bafana from 2010 to 2012 and had earlier served as a caretaker coach and assistant with the national team.
His career reached new heights after leaving Bafana.
He guided Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title in 2016 before moving to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, where he won the competition twice.
Mosimane returns to a national team that made significant progress under Broos, including winning bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time before being eliminated by Canada in the Round of 32.
Broos left Bafana at the end of July when his five-year contract expired after deciding against signing an extension. The Belgian, who took charge in 2021, said he wanted to return home and spend more time with his family.
Mosimane’s first competitive assignment will be the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, which begins later this month.
South Africa have been drawn alongside Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea in Group D, with the opening qualifying window running from 21 September 21 to 6 October.
INSIDE SPORT
