Pitso Mosimane vows to lead Bafana Bafana with pride and humility

Pitso Mosimane has accepted the challenge of leading Bafana Bafana for a second time, saying he is returning to the South Africa men’s senior national team role with “pride, determination, and humility”.

The most decorated South African football coach was formally unveiled at SAFA House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, bringing an end to a 31-day delay in appointing the successor to Hugo Broos.

“Today is a special day for me in my football career. I have learned that there are moments in this game that are bigger than a match, moments that are bigger than a club, and certainly bigger than any individual,” said Mosimane at his introductory news conference.

“For me, this is one of those moments… I’ve been given the privilege of leading our national team again. Er… it sounds like yesterday, but in fact it was 14 years ago [when my first term ended], but we’re here for the second time around.

Mosimane, a former Sundowns coach, now faces the task of preparing Bafana Bafana for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His appointment is expected to intensify competition for places in the national team.

He said his greater experience had given him a deeper understanding of the responsibility involved in managing the country’s senior side.

“I take this responsibility knowing that I still have something to give to football, especially to my country. I do so with many, many more years of experience, but also with an even deeper appreciation, knowing what it means to lead Bafana Bafana.

“I know this is not simply a coaching job. This is bigger than Pitso Mosimane. I understand the weight of this role, the expectations that come with it, and what this team means to South Africa.

“I accept it with pride, determination, and humility I accept the challenge. When you coach a club, you represent a badge, a community, and millions of supporters, but when you coach Bafana Bafana, you represent your country.”

Mosimane’s appointment was publicly endorsed by the SAFA National Executive Committee on 8 August, but negotiations over his salary delayed the formal announcement.

SAFA initially offered him a package worth R5 million per year. His representatives then sought to match the R16.8 million annual package previously earned by Broos.

The South African Football Association eventually doubled its offer, but a further two weeks passed while discussions continued over members of Mosimane’s preferred technical team.

Broos left his position on 31 July, while Mosimane was officially unveiled on 1 September. At the announcement, he was pictured alongside SAFA president Danny Jordaan, chief executive Lydia Monyepao, deputy president Linda Zwane and technical director Molefi Ntseki, as well as members of his technical team.

Mosimane’s first competitive test will arrive quickly. Bafana Bafana are due to begin their qualifiers in 25 days, when the 2026 FIFA World Cup participants host Guinea on 26 September.

Broos criticised the appointment in his final comments as coach, claiming it would set South African football back five years. He also suggested Mosimane was likely to work with football agents who would seek to influence national-team call-ups.