Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo is the latest voice to throw two names into the ring as potential successors to Hugo Broos.
Benni McCarthy and Pitso Mosimane have been mentioned by several figures as possible options, but Mhlongo has offered some rather clear, well-articulated reasons to back the same names.
As widely reported in local media, Broos has confirmed he will step down after guiding South Africa through their 2026 FIFA World Cup run, just seven months away.
PITSO MOSIMANE OR BENNI MCCARTHY FOR BAFANA BAFANA, SAYS BRIGHTON MHLONGO
Mhlongo, however, believes Broos’ own pick, assistant Helman Mkhalele, is not the strongest choice, tipping Mosimane and McCarthy as better candidates for the job.
“So my thinking, and I know we’re all entitled to our views and opinions, I’ll try as much as possible to justify why I’m saying this. I have two coaches in mind,” Mhlongo said on Soccer Beat. “One would be the obvious: Pitso Mosimane. He’s been there, he’s done it, and he understands the dynamics. He works well with players.
“The second would be Benni McCarthy for me. The reason being is his experience, especially going to the dungeon there in Kenya to get results.
“He’s shown that he can work under tough conditions and give youngsters opportunities to play. I think he would be that kind of coach. He also has a big profile, and right now, after Broos, you need someone with a strong profile.
“I would still keep coach Helman as an assistant. He’s getting his badges and still finding his feet. Then you give him space to coach, maybe take charge of COSAFA games, because being an assistant and being the main man are two very different things.
“As an assistant coach, you often become a player-pleaser, someone players confide in. But when you’re the main man, you have to switch completely.
“As for Rulani [Mokwena], not yet. I don’t want him coaching the national team at this stage. We saw what happened with Julien Nagelsmann and Germany. He had huge potential at club level and was still young, with room to grow, to experience defeat, cup losses, and heartbreak.
“When I talk about heartbreak, someone like Pitso knows what that is, injuries, losing trophies, losing continental finals. He’s walked that path. For Rulani, he hasn’t experienced enough of that yet,” Mhlongo said.
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