Pitso Mosimane responds after Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie backs him for Bafana Bafana job

Pitso Mosimane says he understands why South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has publicly endorsed him as the next Bafana Bafana head coach, revealing the two have held in‐depth talks over his detailed plan for youth football development.

With Hugo Broos’ contract expiring at the end of this month and the South African Football Association (SAFA) yet to confirm whether he will be replaced or retained, uncertainty remains over who will lead the national team.

Broos, who took charge in 2021, has overseen a resurgence for Bafana Bafana, guiding them to consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and securing a third-place finish at one of those editions.

The Belgian has also steered South Africa back onto the global stage, ending a 16-year absence from the FIFA World Cup and taking the side into the second round at the expanded tournament staged recently in Mexico, USA and Canada – the first time Bafana have progressed that far in the competition.

McKenzie backs Mosimane as successor

Against that backdrop, McKenzie has publicly “thrown his weight” behind Mosimane, declaring him the best candidate to succeed Broos should SAFA opt for a change in the dugout.

Mosimane, speaking on the radio show #MSWOn947 with Robert Marawa, confirmed he has been sounded out as one of the possible contenders for the position and explained the context behind the minister’s support.

“Well, I know where he comes from,” Mosimane said, referring to McKenzie’s comments.

“He comes from a position where I have given him this draft of manual to say you are the minister of sport how can we collaborate and work together in developing football holistically?”

Mosimane said the document he shared with McKenzie sets out what he considers a comprehensive framework for player development.

“I am not saying results are not important because if we don’t win, it’s a problem. We have to win, right? But how can we contribute and collaborate on this. I would say this is a curriculum of how we need to train players.”

‘His role is to develop football’

According to Mosimane, McKenzie made it clear that his primary focus as minister is the broader growth of sport in the country rather than simply who is winning trophies.

“He says, no, no, my job is to develop the country, make sure that all the sports codes are addressed and trained well. I love what you’re doing. And he comes emotionally from there and I understand as a politician that’s what he wants.

“His role is to develop football. He doesn’t care that much about who’s winning and all that. And he’s got a role to play in sports, that’s why he talks about VAR he talks about all these things.”

Mosimane suggested it was those discussions, rather than lobbying for the national team job, that have shaped McKenzie’s public stance.

“So, I guess he’s coming from there because we had a very long chat for me to open up and tell him what is this [manual] about, and then he said, ‘Does the football federation understand what you have written?’”

Presented to leading figures in South African football

Mosimane said the manual has already been shared with several senior figures within South African football, including within the national structures.

“I said, ‘Yes, I’ve done the manual. I think you’ve seen it on socials when it was still a draft. And I presented to Desiree Ellis. I presented to Molefi Ntseki, I presented to the coach educators, and the president and the CEO’.”

Those presentations, Mosimane added, formed the basis of what he later passed on to McKenzie.

“So that’s what I gave the minister and maybe minister is coming from there to say, wow and why don’t you help the country?”

While Mosimane has acknowledged being approached as a candidate, he has not commented on any formal offer, and SAFA has yet to make any announcement regarding Broos’ future or a possible successor.

The situation leaves Bafana Bafana at a crossroads following a period of improvement under Broos, with McKenzie’s intervention adding a political and developmental dimension to the debate over who should take charge of the national team next.