With Hugo Broos expected to step down as Bafana Bafana head coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, SAFA is likely already considering the next man to take charge of the national team.
Bafana has enjoyed an incredible spell under Broos, qualifying for back-to-back AFCON finals without complex calculations and securing their first World Cup qualification in 23 years, having qualified as hosts in 2010. The expectation is that the man who takes over must continue the successful trajectory established by the Belgian.
Here are five coaches SAFA could consider, ranked by their suitability for the role.
PITSO MOSIMANE
A three-time CAF Champions League winner, Mosimane remains the strongest candidate, an ideal fit for a national team role looking to build on success.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly head coach has been without a club since his exit from Persian Gulf Pro League side Esteghlal FC in January 2025. The veteran tactician remains one of Africa’s most high-profile and decorated names available on the managerial market.
He has previously expressed his desire for a national team job to leave a legacy in continental and global tournaments. “I’ve always said that if you put everything on the table… one thing we’ve not done… I’d love to leave a footprint on the AFCON, and I’d like to be part of a team at the World Cup,” Mosimane recently told FARPost. His motivation is also fueled by the expanded qualification slots for African nations at both AFCON and the World Cup, a setup he believes makes the global stage more accessible than during his previous tenure with Bafana.
Key strength: Proven winner at the highest level of African club football [three CAF Champions League titles, five league titles and two bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup]. Highly familiar with the pressures and demands of South African and continental football.
PEDRO CONÇALVES
The Portuguese mentor recently took over the job at Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC. His interest in a national team role after AFCON, however, is likely to pique SAFA’s attention. His seven years in Angola’s setup, starting with the Under-7s, U-20s, and later the senior team, developed a formidable, modern-looking side.
As a U-17 coach, he won the COSAFA tournament, clinched a bronze medal at the U-17 AFCON, and represented Angola at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. At senior level, he won the COSAFA Cup two years in a row [2024 and 2025].
The 49-year-old is credited with guiding Angola to their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in 14 years at the 2023 edition and also secured their qualification for the 2025 tournament before his departure. His managerial record with Angola stands at 22 wins, 27 draws, and 14 losses in 63 games.
Gonçalves is renowned for his meticulous planning, his ability to develop youthful talent, and his preference for the 4-2-3-1 formation, which emphasises defensive discipline alongside fluid, attacking, and entertaining play, which have become a hallmark of the modern Angolan side.
Key strength: Excellent track record in developing youth, achieving remarkable success in the African context, and a clear, modern tactical philosophy.
JOSÉ RIVEIRO
The former Orlando Pirates coach recently refused to comment on whether he would be interested in the Bafana Bafana job.
While currently unemployed after a short spell with Al Ahly, his deep understanding of the local Betway Premiership and proven ability to successfully integrate youth make him a strong foreign candidate.
Riveiro enjoyed an impressive spell with the Bucs, where he secured five domestic cups [including back-to-back Nedbank Cup and three MTN8 titles] and guided the team to strong continental performances in just over two seasons.
His success has seen young talent like Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi flourish.
While initially sidestepping the speculation to focus on supporting Broos, Riveiro has hinted he would consider a national team role. His connection with the current Bafana squad, which includes several of his former Pirates players, would ease the transition.
Key strength: Tactical acumen, familiarity with top Bafana players from the Betway Premiership, and a proven track record of immediate success in South African club football.
BENNI MCCARTHY
The Bafana all-time top scorer’s ambition to manage his national team is well-known, and his coaching pedigree is solid. Although his current role as head coach of the Kenya national team has seen mixed results, his overall career remains impressive.
In his first coaching job, he guided Cape Town City FC to their first-ever cup title, winning the MTN8 in 2018. He then led AmaZulu FC to their first-ever qualification for the CAF Champions League. Crucially, his two years as a striker’s coach at Manchester United provided him with invaluable experience at the absolute highest level of global club football, yielding two more trophies.
During his tenure with Kenya, the Harambee Stars have had periods of notable progress, winning their CHAN group and showing resilience in World Cup qualifiers.
“If there is a chance for me to take the reins and take the South African job, I would think about it… Nothing would make me prouder than to manage my country and qualify us for a World Cup tournament,” McCarthy told BBC Sport in a previous interview.
Key strength: Experience at the elite level [Manchester United], a domestic track record of success with two different PSL clubs, and a profound emotional connection to the national team.
HELMAN MKHALELE
The 1996 AFCON winner is the candidate endorsed by Broos for continuity. “I think the best thing to do is for Helman [Mkhalele] to become the coach after me, because then you have a follow-up on the same thing,” said Broos. “The way of work and the philosophy will be the same, with a little bit more African thing because I’m European. Helman 95% he thinks the same thing as me.”
Mkhalele has been Broos’s trusted assistant since 2021 and is widely credited with being a crucial link between the coach and the players, playing a significant role in the team’s success. As a former South Africa international, he has the respect of the local football fraternity.
Broos did, however, raise one critical concern: a lack of the required CAF or UEFA Pro License qualification. Mkhalele is currently addressing this, having enrolled for the CAF A Coaching License to become fully eligible for the top job.
Key strength: Continuity of the Broos philosophy and a deep understanding of the current squad, endorsed by the current coach, and holds a strong Bafana playing legacy.
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