Mosimane return: The five players who featured most during his last Bafana Bafana spell

With Pitso Mosimane set to return as Bafana Bafana coach in succession to Hugo Broos, the five players who appeared most often during his previous tenure have been revealed.

Mosimane took charge of South Africa shortly after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was staged on home soil, following the departure of Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Known as ‘Jingles’, Mosimane led Bafana Bafana in 17 matches between July 2010 and June 2012. His time in the role ended after South Africa failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, with a run of disappointing results subsequently leading to his dismissal.

The players who featured most under Mosimane included several prominent members of the national team’s 2010 World Cup squad, as well as footballers who were establishing themselves internationally at the time.

Reneilwe Letsholonyane occupies fifth place in the appearances ranking. The midfielder was playing for Kaizer Chiefs during Mosimane’s spell and took part in approximately 59% of the matches managed by the coach.

Bernard Parker is next, sharing third place after featuring in 65% of the fixtures. Parker began that period with Dutch club FC Twente and also spent time on loan at Greek side Panserraikos before returning to South Africa to join Amakhosi in July 2011.

Parker appeared in the same number of matches as Katlego Mphela. Mphela had started to make a significant impression for Bafana Bafana during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and was regarded as one of Mosimane’s preferred players during his time in charge.

The highest position in the list is shared by two players, both of whom appeared in 70% of South Africa’s matches under the 62-year-old coach.

Siphiwe Tshabalala was one of them. The midfielder became a national football icon when he scored Bafana Bafana’s opening goal in the 2010 World Cup against Mexico. During Mosimane’s tenure, Tshabalala was carrying out his club duties at the Glamour Boys, another name commonly used for Kaizer Chiefs.

Itumeleng Khune shared top billing with his former Kaizer Chiefs team-mate. Khune’s inclusion is particularly notable because he was a goalkeeper, meaning ‘Shabba’ managed to play the same number of international matches as the player behind him.

There is also an unusual statistical link between the two former team-mates. Tshabalala and Khune each finished their South Africa careers with 91 caps in national-team colours.

Mosimane’s return will therefore renew attention on a previous Bafana Bafana era in which Tshabalala, Khune, Parker, Mphela and Letsholonyane were among the players most consistently trusted by the coach. His earlier tenure lasted less than two years, but it included the aftermath of the country’s first World Cup staged at home and a squad built around some of South Africa’s most recognisable players.