Pitso Mosimane returns as South Africa head coach after 14 years

The South African Football Association has appointed Pitso Mosimane as head coach of the national team, confirming his return to the role 14 years after his first spell in charge.

Mosimane succeeds Belgian manager Hugo Broos, who resigned after leading South Africa to successive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and guiding the team to the second round of the 2026 World Cup following a 16-year absence from that stage.

The appointment was announced by the South African Football Association on Tuesday, ending several weeks of speculation over Mosimane’s return to the national team. The former coach had been widely expected to take charge again, but the move was not formally confirmed until the association’s statement.

South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan had previously indicated that an agreement was close. On 8 August, Jordaan said on the organisation’s official website that the National Executive Committee had approved Mosimane’s appointment.

“The National Executive Committee has approved the appointment of Pitso Mosimane as coach of the South African national team,” Jordaan said.

He added: “However, there are still some details that we need to resolve. We will officially announce the coach next week.”

The formal confirmation eventually came on Tuesday, with Mosimane now returning to a position he held between 2010 and 2012. His first tenure made him one of the prominent figures in South African football, and his latest appointment gives him the opportunity to lead the national side again after more than a decade away.

Mosimane brings extensive experience at club and international level. He has won the CAF Champions League three times, including two titles with Al Ahly and one with Mamelodi Sundowns.

His success with Al Ahly established him as one of Africa’s leading coaches. He also enjoyed a major domestic and continental spell with Mamelodi Sundowns before moving into other coaching roles.

The change in the national-team dugout follows Broos’ departure. The Belgian manager had overseen a significant period for South Africa, taking the team to two consecutive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and helping it reach the second round of the 2026 World Cup.

That World Cup progression came after South Africa had been absent from the second round for 16 years. Broos subsequently resigned from his position with Bafana Bafana, leaving the association to seek a successor with strong knowledge of the national team and substantial experience in African football.

Mosimane’s return completes that process and marks the start of a second period in charge of South Africa. His previous spell lasted from 2010 to 2012, while his record of three CAF Champions League triumphs provides the latest appointment with a coach who has already achieved major honours on the continent.