Pitso Mosimane set to be confirmed as new South Africa head coach this week

The South African Football Association (Safa) is expected to confirm Pitso Mosimane as the new Bafana Bafana head coach this week after the two sides reached an agreement following almost three weeks of negotiations.

Mosimane and Safa are believed to have finalised the deal on Friday night after lengthy talks that encountered several obstacles. The negotiations reportedly involved a number of unresolved issues before both parties were able to reach common ground.

One matter still expected to be settled is whether Vincent Tseka will remain as Bafana Bafana team manager. Tseka’s contract expired in July, but he is likely to continue in the role.

The decision is considered important because South Africa face two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea in September. Safa’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is understood to believe that changing the team manager so close to the start of the camp would carry unnecessary risk.

Tseka has an advantage because of his knowledge of the national team’s internal dynamics and culture, developed during the tenure of former coach Hugo Broos. He has also been working closely with people at CAF, which is seen as another factor in favour of retaining him.

Mosimane is also expected to name his preliminary squad for the matches against Guinea and Eritrea when his appointment is announced. During the negotiations, he has been carrying out scouting work alongside his trusted assistants, Kabelo Rangoaga and Musi Matlaba.

The former Bafana Bafana coach is understood to have agreed to an annual package of R10m. That figure is below the R16.8m a year, equivalent to R1.4m a month, that Broos previously earned.

Broos’ salary had attracted criticism from South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

It remains unclear how Safa and Mosimane resolved the disagreements that caused the delay in finalising the appointment. The main points of contention were understood to include Mosimane’s continued association with Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools, his role as host of the podcast ‘Changing the Game with Pitso’, and the handling of his image rights.

Safa had not wanted Mosimane to remain involved with his youth football project, continue presenting the podcast or retain arrangements that created uncertainty over his image rights. Those issues were central to the difficulties that prolonged the talks.

Mosimane, who previously coached Bafana Bafana, is now expected to return to the national team set-up once Safa makes the announcement. The immediate focus will be on preparing for the September Afcon qualifiers and finalising the coaching and backroom structure before the squad gathers.