Pitso Mosimane was officially unveiled as the new Bafana Bafana head coach, succeeding Hugo Broos as head of the senior national team. The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly mentor returns for a second spell with Bafana, having previously led the team between 2010 and 2012.
Mosimane’s unveiling touched on several key issues, from the composition of his technical team to ambitions, the long-drawn negotiations and long-term plans for South African football.
Here are the major talking points from the announcement.
SAFA DISMISSES NTSEKI REPORTS
SAFA president Danny Jordaan used the occasion to address what he described as misinformation during the negotiations with Mosimane. At one point, reports suggested SAFA technical director Molefi Ntseki was being considered as a Plan B for the Bafana job. Jordaan dismissed those claims outright. “It’s false. It’s all lies,” he said.
Ntseki also clarified his role, insisting there was never a possibility of him replacing Mosimane or taking over the national team. “The Bafana Bafana coach is Coach Doctor Pitso Mosimane,” said Ntseki. “Whoever said whatever was actually pointing to the history we shared together. They wanted to say we would be working together again, not that anybody was taking anybody’s position.”
MOSIMANE INTRODUCES TECHNICAL TEAM MEMBERS
Mosimane confirmed Kabelo Rangoaga and Musi Matlaba as the first two members of his technical team. Rangoaga made his name as a conditioning coach, while Matlaba is a respected video and performance analyst. However, Mosimane explained that both have since acquired coaching qualifications and will serve as assistants. The new Bafana coach is still looking to add another assistant to complete his backroom staff.
WHAT HAPPENS TO HELMAN MKHALELE?
The future of Helman Mkhalele, who served as Broos’s assistant, was also addressed. However, Mosimane strongly suggested that he intends to work with people who already understand his methods.
“Every coach has his own technical team. I’ll tell you about [Carlo] Ancelotti. He takes his son, and they’ve won a lot of trophies. The world is not looking at Ancelotti and his son; they’re looking at the work being done. I have four people who have been to the FIFA World Cup with me. They understand how I work, so I have people who can support me.”
CLEAR TARGETS FOR BAFANA BAFANA
Mosimane was not shy about outlining his ambitions for the national team. His immediate target is to improve on Bafana’s performances at the AFCON and the FIFA World Cup. While acknowledging the progress made under Broos, Mosimane believes the team can achieve more.
The three-time CAF Champions League winner understands the expectation is not merely to qualify for major tournaments, but to make a meaningful impact once there.
BROOS RECEIVES HIS FLOWERS
Mosimane paid tribute to his predecessor, praising Broos for the foundation he has left behind.
The Belgian revived Bafana’s fortunes and restored belief in the national team during his five-year tenure. Mosimane made it clear that he would build on that work rather than arrive intending to change everything.
“Way before this, I recognised and praised Hugo Broos for what he has done. He has laid a good foundation for us. I’ve said it before: he has done exceptionally well. He has put down a good foundation for me, and I appreciate the work he has done,” Mosimane said.
He added that acknowledging Broos’ contribution would not prevent him from introducing his own methods.
“You have to accept and acknowledge the good work that has been done. Don’t be the person who wants to change things as if no work was done. There is always room for improvement. There is a lot of room for improvement, and I have my own way of working.”
BROADER PLAN FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
Mosimane’s proposal goes beyond the senior national team. Together with Ntseki, he wants to align SAFA’s development programmes with schools and Local Football Associations. The idea is to create a clearer scouting pathway from grassroots football into the junior national teams and, eventually, Bafana. The plan would make it easier to identify talented players at an early age and ensure they are not lost outside the existing football structures.
SAFA’S EXPECTATIONS ALREADY HIGH
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with Mosimane’s appointment but said the association had confidence in the new coach.
“Your appointment comes with great expectations, but also with great confidence… We have an important AFCON campaign, and preparations start now. We have a common ambition to build a Bafana Bafana team that is competitive globally,” Monyepao said.
OPENING AFCON QUALIFIERS WILL SET THE TONE
Mosimane’s tenure will begin with fixtures against Guinea on September 23, 2026, and Eritrea on September 27, 2026, all ranked below South Africa. Jordaan warned, however, that rankings would count for little once the teams stepped onto the pitch.
“Bafana are ranked number 10 [in Africa]. We are playing Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea, and they are all ranked lower. It doesn’t matter where FIFA ranks you. It depends on the 11 players on the field and the preparation. That is what we are facing from the first game. I don’t want to say it is a must-win, but it is close to that.”
The result of Mosimane’s first match will inevitably set the tone for what promises to be a closely watched second spell in charge.
SAFA SHUTS DOWN SALARY QUESTION
Mosimane’s salary was another subject raised during the unveiling, but Jordaan refused to discuss the figures. During the negotiations, SAFA initially offered a R5 million annual package. They later doubled the figure, but it was still significantly less than what Broos earned.
“We’re not answering questions about the salary of the coach. If he wants to disclose it, that’s his business. That’s not a question for us,” Jordaan.
