Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana return gets early FIFA ranking boost

Pitso Mosimane’s second spell as Bafana Bafana head coach has received an early lift, with South Africa moving up one place in the provisional FIFA rankings before he takes charge of his first match.

Bafana Bafana had remained 54th since the end of July, when the World Cup concluded, but have now climbed to 53rd following Costa Rica’s fall down the rankings.

Costa Rica dropped three positions after suffering a surprise home defeat by Curacao in the COCACAF Nations Cup on Friday morning. Their move down to 54th allowed South Africa to rise by one place without playing.

Mosimane will lead Bafana Bafana for the first time since returning to the role on Saturday, when they face Guinea in an AFCON 2027 qualifier at Orlando Amstel Arena.

South Africa will also play Eritrea on September 30 before meeting Egypt on October 4. Their next two opponents are ranked below them, with Guinea 81st and Eritrea 184th, while Egypt are considerably higher in 24th place.

South Africa targeting first top-50 finish since 2011

Depending on results involving other nations, Bafana Bafana could finish the current international window inside FIFA’s top 50.

South Africa have not occupied a top-50 position since October 2011, when they were ranked 49th with Mosimane in charge. That period came a year after the country hosted the World Cup, during which South Africa reached their highest position of 38th in May 2010.

Bafana Bafana’s best-ever FIFA ranking was 16th, achieved in August 1996 when South Africa were African champions.

Hugo Broos left his position with the South African Football Association having guided Bafana Bafana into the top 10 in Africa. The team were also at their highest ranking since January 2015, when they rose to 52nd.

Mosimane’s return therefore comes with South Africa already benefiting from movement elsewhere in the international standings, although their ranking could still change before the next official list is confirmed.

Their upcoming fixtures will provide the first opportunity for the former coach to improve the position on the pitch, beginning with the AFCON 2027 qualifying match against Guinea.