Timothy Nkosi backs Pitso Mosimane to guide Bafana Bafana to 2027 AFCON

Former midfielder Timothy “RDP” Nkosi has backed Pitso Mosimane to lead Bafana Bafana to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFON) finals, saying the coach’s development as a tactician gives South Africa a strong chance of qualifying.

Mosimane returned to the national team role with expectations heightened by his previous experience in charge of Bafana Bafana between 2010 and 2012. Since that first spell, he has built a trophy-laden club career with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.

Nkosi believes those years in club football have helped Mosimane better understand the demands of international management, where coaches have far less time with their players before important matches.

“Coach Pitso has grown tremendously over the years, and you can see he now truly understands the difference between being a club coach and a national team coach,” Nkosi told KickOff.

The former midfielder said Mosimane’s progress was evident in the way he approaches the contrasting responsibilities of club and country.

“At club level, you have your players every single day to drill your philosophy into them,” Nkosi said.

“With the national team, you only get a few days before a massive match, so it is all about squad selection, man-management, and getting the tactical balance right immediately. He has mastered that.”

Nkosi’s comments come after Mosimane’s return to the Bafana Bafana hotseat, with qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals now the central objective.

He expressed confidence that the coach’s experience from his first national-team tenure and subsequent success at Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly had prepared him for the challenge.

In Nkosi’s view, Mosimane’s ability to identify the right squad, manage players effectively and establish a tactical approach quickly will be crucial to South Africa’s hopes of securing their place at the continental tournament.