Former Bafana Bafana midfielder-cum-defender Benson Mhlongo believes Helman Mkhalele deserves to be the national team head coach but says SAFA should keep him in the system should they confirm another person as the new man in charge.
SAFA are set to name the Bafana boss who will take over from Hugo Broos. The latter recently stepped down after guiding South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The new coach is expected to be announced on Saturday to start preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers that kick off in September.
Broos’ departure ended a period of uncertainty where he appeared to have decided to continue with the team after he had initially said that he would go into retirement after the World Cup. SAFA went through CVs of more than 80 applicants interested in replacing the Belgian.
FARPost understands that Pitso Mosimane is set to be announced as the new national team coach. It would be the second stint at the helm of Bafana for the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach.
Broos was assisted by Mkhalele, and the two helped Bafana claim bronze at the 2023 AFCON and reach the knockout stage of the World Cup, a first for South Africa at this tournament. When he first announced that he would leave Bafana after the World Cup, Broos anointed Mkhalele as his preferred successor, saying the 1996 AFCON winner thinks like him most of the time.
WHY BENSON MHLONGO IS BACKING HELMAN MKHALELE FOR BAFANA BAFANA JOB
Mhlongo feels a local coach is best placed to lead the national team and urges SAFA to look no further than Mkhalele. The ex-Sundowns utility star says even if another coach is appointed, Mkhalele should still be part of the new technical team set-up.
“The question is, why was Mkhalele there in the first place? It’s a pity that our own people don’t believe in us. Supporters are very powerful. Since they have a voice, they can make or break you,” Mhlongo told FARPost.
“Yes, they might have believed in you when you were playing, but now you ask yourself: are these the same people who were supporting me when I was still a player? Until we fix that [our mentality as South Africans], then we will know what we want as a country.
“Do we want to groom our own? Did we learn from the past? If Broos gives Mkhalele thumbs up, why can’t we give him a chance? Sometimes I feel we are not sure of what we want.
“Coach Pitso, Helman, Rulani [Mokwena] and all others are capable. When it comes to foreign coaches, it’s up to SAFA. We can’t talk for them, but we wish they could give Mkhalele a chance since Broos gave him the thumbs up. But as I said, it’s up to SAFA. If they go for another coach, Mkhalele should remain in the technical team. We can’t throw him away.”
MKHALELE’S EXPERIENCE WITH BAFANA BAFANA OUTLINED
Mhlongo, who also played for Orlando Pirates, has further underlined why he is throwing his weight behind Mkhalele by outlining the coach’s experience.
“You are talking about a guy who won AFCON, played at AFCON and the World Cup, played in Europe and also coached at AFCON and the World Cup as an assistant. What more experience do you want? Let’s not insult him. He is like Benni McCarthy. You can’t question these guys,” added Mhlongo.
“Mkhalele has been with the team all along. What more experience does he need? What’s the point of being with the national team all these years and then overlooking him when we need a new coach? It is time now. Let us not be afraid to go with our own.”
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