Pitso Mosimane has officially returned as head coach of South Africa’s men’s national team, more than a decade after leaving the Bafana Bafana job. The 62-year-old was unveiled by the South African Football Association (SAFA) in Johannesburg on Tuesday, completing a return that was approved by the association’s executive committee on August 8. He replaces Belgian Hugo Broos, whose five-year tenure ended after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Broos leaves behind a strong record, having guided South Africa to third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup the first time Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockout rounds. Mosimane previously managed the national team from 2010 to 2012. His first spell ended after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON and then drew 1-1 with Ethiopia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Since then, however, Mosimane has built one of the strongest coaching résumés in African football. He won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 before claiming the title twice with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. He has also managed clubs in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. His return comes with little time to settle in. Bafana Bafana will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign later this month, hosting Guinea before travelling to Egypt to face Eritrea. South Africa are in Group D alongside Kenya, with only one team from the group guaranteed to advance because Kenya are automatic qualifiers as co-hosts. Mosimane now faces the task of building on Broos’ progress while proving that his second spell can deliver more consistent success for the national team.
