Pitso Mosimane set for Egypt return as Eritrea move Bafana Bafana qualifier

Pitso Mosimane is poised to begin his second spell as Bafana Bafana head coach with a trip to Egypt, where Eritrea will host their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 30 September.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) is expected to confirm Mosimane’s return this week after contractual discussions were concluded over the weekend. His appointment would launch preparations for the Pamoja AFCON, with Bafana Bafana facing Guinea at home before travelling to Egypt.

South Africa are scheduled to play Guinea on Saturday, 26 September, although the venue has not yet been confirmed. Gauteng and North West are understood to be the leading options, with SAFA seeking a stadium close to OR Tambo International Airport so the squad can fly to Egypt immediately after the match.

Their fixture against Eritrea is due to take place on Wednesday, 30 September.

Eritrea have been forced to stage home matches outside the country because they do not have a stadium that complies with Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations or meets FIFA standards. They are among several African nations that have had to relocate their international fixtures, with Morocco and Egypt being regular alternatives.

Mosimane will replace Hugo Broos, who enjoyed a highly successful five-year tenure with Bafana Bafana. The former Belgian international guided South Africa to successive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and led them to a bronze medal at the 2023 edition in Cote d’Ivoire.

Broos’ final achievement with the national team was taking Bafana Bafana into the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and the US, the first time South Africa have reached that stage of the competition.

The return to Egypt will have particular significance for Mosimane. He spent nearly three years there during one of the most successful periods of his coaching career, winning two CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly, the “African club of the century”.

The group also contains Guinea and AFCON co-hosts Kenya. Only the team finishing top of the standings will qualify for the tournament, although Kenya are already guaranteed a place as co-hosts. Their national side, Harambee Stars, are coached by former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy.

Eritrea secured their place in the qualifying phase earlier this year by ending an 18-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations. They defeated Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round, winning the first leg 2-0 in Morocco before completing the tie with a 2-1 victory in the return match at Somhlolo stadium.

The Eritrean squad selected for those two games contained 24 players, including 10 based domestically. The remainder were expatriate players based in Australia, Egypt, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines and Sweden.

Mosimane’s expected appointment comes as SAFA also faces pressure over other off-field matters. McKenzie has given the association 21 days to repay R13 million in Video Assistant Referee (VAR) money.