By JOHANNESBURG — In a landmark moment for South African football, the South African Football Association (SAFA) officially confirmed on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, that decorated tactician Pitso Mosimane has been appointed as the new head coach of Bafana Bafana.
Mosimane, arguably the most celebrated coach in South African football history, steps into the role following the resignation of Belgian strategist Hugo Broos on 31 July 2026. Broos ended an impressive five-year tenure shortly after guiding the senior men’s national team to the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bringing a wealth of international success back home, Mosimane’s legendary pedigree precedes him. The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly boss is a three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach, having conquered the continent’s premier club competition once with Sundowns and twice with the Egyptian giants.
He will not be embarking on this journey alone. SAFA confirmed that long-time trusted lieutenants Kabelo Rangoaga and Musi Matlaba will join Mosimane’s technical setup, with further technical team announcements expected in the coming days as the new era takes shape.
A Vision for the Future
Welcoming Mosimane back to SAFA House, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan outlined an ambitious roadmap for Bafana Bafana, pointing toward three primary competitive targets.
“For South African football and for our national team, Bafana Bafana, there are three major competitions that we will face,” Jordaan declared. “The first is the Africa Cup of Nations. The second, CAF will introduce a new competition called the African Nations League.”
Jordaan clarified that the African Nations League will replace the old CHAN tournament, operating on a two-year cycle. SAFA is eyeing a potential bid to host the finals of this inaugural competition.
However, the ultimate target remains set on the horizon: the 2030 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
“It’s the second time that there will be a World Cup competition on the African continent,” Jordaan noted, referencing South Africa’s historic 2010 host nation status. “It will of course be a huge honour for us as previous hosts to participate in Africa’s second World Cup.”
Jordaan added that the regional COSAFA Cup will continue to serve as a vital pathway for emerging domestic talent to transition into the international arena.
“One South Africa, Behind One Team”
Accepting the responsibility, Mosimane delivered a passionate address calling for national unity and paying respect to the progress achieved under his predecessor.
“We may come from different places, speak different languages, support rival clubs and have different aspirations or arguments, but when that national anthem plays, those differences fall away,” Mosimane said. “And when Bafana Bafana takes to the field, we have an opportunity to make those words in the anthem real — One South Africa, behind one team.”
Mosimane expressed gratitude to SAFA’s leadership for their trust, while acknowledging the foundation laid by Broos, his staff, and the playing squad.
“The team has made important strides and given South Africa the reason to believe again,” Mosimane emphasized. “In doing so, it has set a new benchmark for Bafana Bafana, and we know where the benchmark is. My responsibility is to build on that foundation, to take the team forward and raise the standard even further.”
From Belgium, outgoing coach Hugo Broos offered his warm congratulations. “President, congratulations to the new Bafana Bafana coach,” Broos stated. “I wish the coach and SAFA all the luck and success in the next few months.”
Echoing the sentiment of the football community, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao praised Mosimane’s pedigree across the Premier Soccer League, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. “You are without exaggeration one of the most successful coaches South Africa has ever produced,” Monyepao said. “We are delighted to have you back home. The work starts now…”
Road to AFCON 2027 Starts Immediately
There is no time for a honeymoon period. Mosimane hits the ground running immediately as Bafana Bafana gear up for their opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers later this month.
South Africa will host Guinea in their opening home qualifier on 26 September 2026, with the venue set to be confirmed shortly. The squad will then make a quick turnaround for an away clash against Eritrea on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. These qualifiers mark the start of the road to AFCON 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
Mosimane is expected to name his preliminary squad in the coming days as he swiftly assesses the pool of talent at his disposal.
