Pitso Mosimane returns to Bafana Bafana hot seat

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane is set to return to the helm of Bafana Bafana after the South African Football Association (SAFA) National Executive Committee approved his appointment.

Mosimane’s return was approved on Saturday, August 8, during a SAFA NEC Extraordinary Meeting held at SAFA House in Johannesburg. The former Bafana mentor is expected to replace Belgian coach Hugo Broos, who stepped down from the national team post just days after leading South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC had given the appointment the green light, although some final details still need to be resolved before the official announcement.

“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 of the coach next week,” Jordaan said following the meeting.

Mosimane returns to a Bafana side that has enjoyed one of the most memorable World Cup campaigns in the country’s history.

South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 24 years and reached the knockout stage for the first time after defeating South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey, Mexico. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal as

Bafana secured their historic passage into the second round.

However, the team was eventually eliminated by Canada, bringing Broos’ tenure to an end despite the Belgian having guided South Africa to one of its strongest World Cup campaigns in recent history.

Mosimane now faces the daunting task of building on that progress while preparing Bafana for the next major international challenges.

The 61-year-old is no stranger to the national team, having previously coached Bafana between 2010 and 2012. He later enjoyed enormous success with Sundowns, winning the CAF Champions League in 2016, before moving to Egypt, where he led Al Ahly to continental glory.

His return is therefore expected to generate considerable excitement among South African football supporters, particularly given his proven record at club and continental level.

Meanwhile, the NEC meeting also discussed preparations for the upcoming SAFA Elective Congress, scheduled for September 12, 2026.

The nominations for various positions to be contested at the elective congress were handed over to the Governance Committee this week.

SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao handed over the nomination files to Governance Committee members Victor Mogajane, Tumi Dlamini, Abel Ramolotja, Shakespeare Hadebe and Anzel Laubscher at SAFA House in Johannesburg.

Jordaan also wished Sasol Banyana Banyana well ahead of their crucial CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against hosts Morocco on Saturday night.

Banyana face Morocco at the Moulay el Hassan Stadium in Rabat at 22h00 South African time, with the winner moving closer to securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Jordaan also sent his best wishes to the women’s national team ahead of Women’s Day.

“Tomorrow is Women’s Day, we are also wishing them a day filled with endless success and happiness,” he said