The decision was ratified at a SAFA National Executive Committee Extraordinary Meeting held at SAFA House in Johannesburg on Saturday, with members backing Mosimane to return to the South African senior men's national team. SAFA President Danny Jordaan confirmed the development but indicated that formalities still need to be concluded before an official announcement can be made.
"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.
A Coach with Unfinished Business
Mosimane's return marks a second chapter with the national team after his first permanent spell between 2010 and 2012. He previously served as Carlos Alberto Parreira's assistant during the 2010 World Cup on home soil before being promoted to head coach, a stint that ultimately ended with his dismissal in 2012 after Bafana failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 62-year-old has since built one of the most impressive coaching resumes in African football. He led Mamelodi Sundowns to their first CAF Champions League triumph in 2016 before guiding Egyptian giants Al Ahly to back-to-back continental titles in 2020 and 2021. He also managed several clubs in the Middle East, leading Al-Ahli to promotion to the Saudi Pro League and winning the First Division League title. Mosimane had recently signalled his availability for new opportunities, telling local media he was open to offers following the launch of his youth football manual in July.
Mosimane has previously spoken about having unfinished business with Bafana Bafana and his desire to return to the national team. His Bafana record, including his caretaker and permanent spells, stands at 23 matches, nine wins, ten draws and four defeats. He also had caretaker spells in 2006 and 2007, taking charge of seven matches between permanent appointments.
A Historic Foundation to Build On
The incoming coach inherits a team that has just returned from a historic World Cup campaign. Broos guided Bafana Bafana to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in the country's history, with South Africa eventually eliminated by co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32. The Belgian also led the team to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Mosimane emerged as the leading candidate from a field of more than 80 applicants for the position. SAFA Technical Committee chair Jack Maluleke confirmed that Mosimane was among those who applied, while stressing that the former Bafana coach would have to go through the selection process like the other candidates.
A Busy Schedule Ahead
With the NEC's endorsement now in place, Mosimane will immediately have to focus on the next major challenge—qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. South Africa's qualifying campaign is scheduled to begin in September, with Matchdays 1 and 2 taking place between 21 September and 6 October 2026, followed by Matchdays 3 and 4 between 9 and 17 November 2026. The final two rounds, Matchdays 5 and 6, are scheduled for 22 to 30 March 2027.
That gives the incoming coach little time to settle in before the competitive campaign begins. South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea for the qualifiers.
For SAFA, backing Mosimane amounts to placing its confidence in a coach who already understands the demands of Bafana Bafana, while also possessing extensive continental experience. For Mosimane, the potential return represents the latest chapter in a coaching career that has taken him from South Africa to some of the biggest clubs in African football and the Middle East.
With reporting from SAFA, EWN, SABC News, The Citizen, The Witness, Ahram Online and eNCA.
