Former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has explained why he believes newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane is the right man to lead the senior men’s national team to success.
Mosimane was appointed Bafana coach in August, replacing Hugo Broos. It is a second stint with the national team for the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach, whose first spell with Bafana between 2010 and 2012 was largely unsuccessful.
He takes over from Broos, who guided Bafana to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON and qualified them for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—where South Africa made history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time. The Belgian had previously ended a long drought by securing Bafana’s first World Cup qualification through a qualifying campaign since Carlos Queiroz led them to the 2002 tournament, before South Africa automatically hosted the 2010 edition.
Matching the Class of 1996, which was crowned African champions, remains the bar to reach for coaches. Jomo Sono, building on a foundation laid by the late Clive Barker, came close to helping Bafana win gold at the 1998 AFCON finals when South Africa were the losing finalists.
Trott Moloto and Broos then managed third place at the 2000 and 2023 editions.
AARON MOKOENA PUTS FAITH IN BAFANA COACH PITSO MOSIMANE
Before landing his current job, Mosimane had stated that he would be prioritising an African national team role, specifically to win AFCON after clinching the CAF Champions League with Sundowns and Al Ahly.
“Coach Pitso has been there; he has done it. The reason he is the best is that he has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Carlos Parreira and the best Carlo Ancelotti out there. He participated in the World Cup, [FIFA] Club World Cup and [CAF] Champions League,” Mokoena told FARPost.
“So, he knows what it takes to win games. It won’t be easy; he knows that. But he knows the pressure that comes with being a national team coach.
“I have no doubt that coach Pitso can turn the corner for us, but it won’t be easy. For me, I give him all the support and prayers so that he can do well. He is one of our own.
“He played football professionally; he studied football, so it’s good that he now gets his chance again to become the Bafana Bafana coach. As South Africans, we just need to give him our blessings and support, which is what I do.”
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