Let the work begin – SAFA president Danny Jordaan charges new Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane

South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has thrown his full support behind Pitso Mosimane as the experienced coach begins his second spell in charge of the Bafana Bafana.

Jordaan believes Mosimane’s return comes at an important moment for South African football, with the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach now tasked with leading the national team and driving the country’s football ambitions over the next four years.

Speaking about the beginning of Mosimane’s new era, Jordaan called on the coach and his technical team to get to work immediately, with South Africa’s competitive schedule already underway.

“So let the work begin,” Jordaan said.

“With the new Pitso era we starting now, I don’t know if it’s version 2, but Pitso vision 2026-2030 is what drives the future of South African football. All the best to your team, and your technical team.”

Mosimane’s return comes with expectations high following his successful first spell with the national team. He previously guided Bafana Bafana to qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where South Africa became the first host nation to compete at the tournament.

He also enjoyed considerable success at club level, most notably with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly, winning the CAF Champions League with both clubs.

The 2026-2030 period is expected to be a crucial one for South African football, with Mosimane being entrusted with helping Bafana Bafana compete for major honours while also building a team capable of challenging consistently at continental level.

His immediate focus, however, will be on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with South Africa drawn in a group alongside Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.

The qualifying campaign provides Mosimane with his first major competitive assignment since returning to the Bafana Bafana dugout. A strong start will be important as he begins implementing his ideas and assessing the players available to him.

Jordaan’s endorsement underlines SAFA’s confidence in Mosimane’s experience and ability to deliver its long-term football vision.

For the coach, the challenge is now to turn that confidence into results and begin what Jordaan has described as the “Pitso vision 2026-2030”.

With the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning this month, the new era is set to be tested almost immediately.