Pitso Mosimane can take Bafana Bafana beyond Hugo Broos’s legacy – Fortune

Quinton Fortune believes Pitso Mosimane can take South Africa to greater heights by combining the tactical discipline established by Hugo Broos with the freedom for players to express their natural flair.

Mosimane’s appointment gives Bafana Bafana an opportunity to build for the future following Broos’s departure, and former South Africa international Fortune says the new manager must find the right balance between organisation and creativity.

“Hugo Broos did such a good job, but there is one specific area where the next manager can improve,” Fortune told IOL in an exclusive interview, courtesy of Premier Bet.

Broos officially left his position on 31 July after completing a five-year term in charge of South Africa. Although the South African Football Association (SAFA) had known since December 2025 that the Belgian intended to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the process of appointing his successor was not completed immediately.

SAFA’s National Executive Committee endorsed Mosimane as its preferred candidate for the Bafana Bafana job on 8 August. However, negotiations between the coach’s representatives and SAFA over his salary still led to a standoff before the appointment could be finalised.

Broos departs with an important record from his time as South Africa manager. He guided the national side to their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 2002, excluding their automatic place as hosts of the 2010 tournament.

Under Broos, Bafana Bafana also reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. His team further secured third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa’s best finish in that competition since 2000.

Fortune, however, says Broos may not always have fully connected with one distinctive characteristic of South African football: the importance of allowing talented players to play with instinct and imagination.

“I was fortunate to cover the World Cup with Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena, and we discussed how Hugo perhaps lacked a deep understanding of the South African football psychespecifically, the need to let players express their innate flair,” Fortune explained.

“When I picture a South African footballer, I think of skill and natural ability first. You have to give them the confidence to express themselves, just like any top player in world football. At the same time, when you face international opposition, you must defend and attack as a unit. Every single player has to put a shift inunless you’re Lionel Messi, but that’s a different story. Striking that balance between structure and freedom is the real challenge.”

Fortune believes Mosimane, who has previously enjoyed success in African club football and with the national team, has the experience to develop that approach with Bafana Bafana.

The former Manchester United player remains hopeful that South Africa can make progress beyond simply reaching major tournaments. He wants the national side to set more ambitious targets at the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.

“I just want Bafana to succeednot just to qualify for major tournaments, but to target quarter-finals, semi-finals, and beyond. Achieving that level of success will take meticulous planning.”

Broos’s achievements provide Mosimane with a strong platform, but Fortune says further progress will depend on careful preparation, collective discipline and the confidence to allow South Africa’s gifted players to express themselves.