Pitso Mosimane approved as South Africa’s next Bafana Bafana coach

Pitso Mosimane has been approved by the South African Football Association’s national executive committee as the country’s next Bafana Bafana coach, although a deal has yet to be formally signed.

Mosimane has agreed in principle to replace Hugo Broos, whose contract expired last month, but negotiations over his financial package are still continuing. The former coach’s representatives want him to receive terms equivalent to those agreed with Broos.

Safa president Danny Jordaan said the remaining details would be resolved before an announcement is made next week.

“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.

The make-up of Mosimane’s technical team and wider backroom staff will also be discussed and finalised in the coming days.

The new coach will have little time to settle into the role, with South Africa’s opening match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign scheduled for next month against Guinea in South Africa.

Bafana Bafana will be expected to make a strong start to qualification after reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup for the first time. Their next major objective is to secure a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Mosimane has extensive experience with the national team. He served as an assistant to Carlos Alberto Parreira during the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa failed to progress from the group stage on home soil.

He subsequently became Bafana Bafana head coach and held the position from 2010 until 2012. His tenure ended after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Despite that previous setback, Mosimane is one of the most successful coaches in African football. He has won almost 20 major trophies, including three CAF Champions League titles and five league championships with Mamelodi Sundowns.

His achievements also include two bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup during his time in charge of Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Mosimane has since worked outside South Africa, coaching Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli Saudi and Abha Club, as well as Al Wahda in the United Arab Emirates and Esteghlal FC of Iran.

His appointment would represent a return to the national team for a coach who was part of the Bafana Bafana set-up at the 2010 World Cup and later led the side himself. However, the final financial agreement and the details of his coaching staff must still be completed before Safa can officially confirm the move.