Pitso Mosimane approved as Bafana Bafana coach but contract still unsigned

Pitso Mosimane has been approved by the South African Football Association’s (Safa) national executive committee as the new Bafana Bafana head coach, although negotiations over his contract are still to be completed.

Mosimane has agreed in principle to succeed Hugo Broos, whose contract ended last month, but has not yet signed a formal agreement. Discussions are continuing over his financial package, with Mosimane’s representatives seeking terms equivalent to those received by Broos.

Safa expects to announce the appointment next week, while the make-up of Mosimane’s technical team and backroom staff will also be negotiated and finalised in the coming days.

“The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement on the coach next week,” said Safa president Danny Jordaan in a statement on Saturday.

Mosimane will have little time to settle into the role if the appointment is completed as expected. Bafana Bafana’s first fixture in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign is scheduled for next month, when they face Guinea in South Africa.

The national team will be under pressure to make a strong start after their recent success at the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time.

Their immediate priority is to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted jointly by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Mosimane is returning to a position he knows well. He previously served as an assistant to Carlos Alberto Parreira during the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa became the first host nation to fail to progress from the group stage.

He then managed Bafana Bafana from 2010 to 2012, but was dismissed after the team failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Despite that previous setback, Mosimane is regarded as one of Africa’s most successful coaches. He has won almost 20 major trophies during his career, including three CAF Champions League titles and five league championships with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mosimane also guided Egyptian club Al Ahly to two bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup. His other coaching positions have included Al-Ahli Saudi and Abha Club in Saudi Arabia, Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates and Esteghlal FC in Iran.

The remaining financial discussions and decisions over his support staff are now the final steps before his return to international management can be confirmed.