Seasoned coach Pitso Mosimane has delivered his assessment of the current state of South African football, and his words are clear: “We are cooking”.
Mosimane shared his observations on the positive trajectory of SA football after the Under-15 Boys’ impressive 2-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship in Ghana on Wednesday.
As a result, there is a palpable surge of excitement surrounding South African football, fueled by promising results across various national teams and a strong showing in CAF inter-club competitions by Betway Premiership teams.
Further boosting Mosimane’s optimism, Bafana Bafana booked their ticket for the 2025 AFCON, a feat that makes Hugo Broos the first Bafana coach to achieve two consecutive Nations Cup finals appearances.
In the previous AFCON tournament, Bafana earned a commendable bronze medal, their first podium finish in over two decades. They also currently lead Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, positioning them well to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002, excluding their hosting of the 2010 showpiece.
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“Bafana Bafana, U-17 and now our U-15s are also cooking! Banyana Banyana is a great team,” said Mosimane on his official X [Twitter] account.
“We also have a good generation of players, and the coaches are also up to the task.”
Adding to the nation’s achievements, the Under-15 girls’ national team returned home victorious last year after winning the CAF African Schools Football Championship title in Zanzibar, defeating Morocco.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana achieved a historic first African title in 2022, followed by a memorable run to the round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They now enter the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON] as defending champions.
On the other hand, the national Under-17 team [Amajimbos] and the U-20 team [Amajita] have also qualified for their respective junior AFCON tournaments. Amajimbos, led by Kaizer Chiefs’ DDC coach Vela Khumalo, have also qualified for the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, while Amajita were crowned champions of the U-20 COSAFA Championship in 2024.
Individual excellence has also been recognised, with Bafana captain Ronwen Williams notably winning two big awards at the 2024 CAF Awards: Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year, due to his stellar performances for both the national team and Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Bafana and Banyana missed out on the National Teams of the Year awards, Andile Dlamini [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Banyana Banyana goalkeeper] was shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, and UWC Ladies mentor Thinasonke Mbuli received a nomination for the 2024 CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.
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At club level, Sundowns, the 2016 Champions League winners with Mosimane at the helm, are a dominant force. Miguel Cardoso’s troops are in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League and are preparing for a crucial return-leg against Al Ahly in Cairo on Friday.
Orlando Pirates have also reached the same stage and will face Pyramids FC in their second-leg encounter, also away on Friday. Furthermore, Stellenbosch FC are in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup and will play Simba SC in their return-leg on Sunday.
“This is not the first time we are experiencing all these good things in our country,” added Mosimane, a three-time CAF Champions League winner. “Let’s just work hard on the foundation and make sure that the conveyor belt is well-maintained.
“We also have 3 PSL teams in the semi-finals of the CAF competitions.”
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