Pitso Mosimane remains leading candidate for Bafana Bafana job despite Gustavo Poyet link

Pitso Mosimane remains in pole position to become South Africa’s next head coach, despite reports that SAFA have made inquiries about former Greece manager Gustavo Poyet.

Mosimane has been widely tipped to return to the Bafana Bafana hot seat following the departure of Hugo Broos. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach is understood to be the leading candidate as the South African Football Association considers its options.

Earlier this month, SAFA indicated that negotiations with Mosimane had reached an advanced stage. Only the final details were believed to be outstanding before an agreement could be completed and his return to the national-team set-up confirmed.

However, reports later claimed that Mosimane had initially rejected an offer understood to be worth about R5 million per year. A revised proposal was subsequently said to have been agreed, raising expectations that an official announcement on his appointment was imminent.

Those developments have now been complicated by a report from French publication Onze Mondial, which says SAFA have enquired about Uruguayan-Spanish coach Gustavo Poyet.

Poyet, 58, has built an extensive managerial career across Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. His previous club appointments include Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland, Real Betis, Shanghai Shenhua, Bordeaux and AEK Athens.

He has also managed the Greece national team, although his experience in international football is considerably less extensive than his work in club management.

The report about Poyet is likely to renew uncertainty around the Bafana Bafana coaching process, particularly because Mosimane’s return had appeared to be drawing closer in recent weeks.

Despite the fresh link, indications from sources close to the situation are that Mosimane continues to lead the race to replace Broos. SAFA’s reported interest in Poyet may suggest that the governing body is assessing alternative candidates, but Mosimane remains the frontrunner for the position.

Mosimane has a strong record in African club football. He won the CAF Champions League three times and previously enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns.

His potential return would therefore represent a second spell as South Africa head coach, while SAFA’s reported discussions with Poyet indicate that a final decision has not yet been formally announced.

For now, the former Sundowns mentor, known as the “Jingadies”, is still understood to be the preferred choice as SAFA seeks to appoint the next Bafana Bafana manager.