Mosimane faces Bafana rebuild after key staff join Al Fateh

Pitso Mosimane will have to reshape his Bafana Bafana backroom team after two members of his preferred technical staff joined Saudi Arabian club Al Fateh.

Maahier Davids, a long-standing colleague of Mosimane, has been appointed assistant coach at Al Fateh, while Kyle Solomon has taken up a role as the club’s video analyst. Former Bafana Bafana strength and conditioning coach Kopano Melesi has also joined the Saudi Arabian side.

The developments mean Mosimane cannot simply transfer the technical group he has traditionally relied on into his new position as South Africa head coach.

Mosimane was formally approved for the role by the South African Football Association (SAFA) National Executive Committee at an extraordinary meeting on 8 August. He had been expected to work with a familiar group comprising Kabelo Rangoaga as fitness and conditioning coach, Musi Matlaba as performance and data analyst, Solomon in analyst and operational support, and Davids as assistant coach.

With Davids and Solomon now contracted to Al Fateh, Mosimane must reassess the structure of his Bafana Bafana staff before beginning preparations for the national team’s next campaign.

One possible option is the retention of Helman Mkhalele, who could remain part of the coaching setup despite several departures following Hugo Broos’ exit.

Mkhalele has served on the Bafana Bafana coaching staff since 2020. His experience within the national team environment, together with his knowledge of the players and existing structures, could offer Mosimane an important measure of continuity as he begins a new era.

The former Bafana winger was involved in the technical team that helped South Africa qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years and reach a historic round-of-16 stage in Mexico.

Keeping Mkhalele would preserve a link with the achievements of Broos’ tenure, while also giving Mosimane an experienced figure who understands the demands of international football and the workings of the current squad.

The new head coach must now decide how to fill the vacancies created by the moves to Al Fateh. He could recruit new members from outside the national-team structure or promote personnel already working within SAFA.

The appointments of Davids and Solomon are particularly significant because both had been expected to occupy important positions in Mosimane’s planned setup. Davids’ departure leaves a gap in the assistant-coach role, while Solomon’s move creates the need for a replacement in analysis and operational support.

Mosimane is expected to finalise his technical team before Bafana Bafana begin preparations for their next assignment: the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His staff decisions will be among the first major steps in establishing the direction of the national team under his leadership.