The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that Pitso Mosimane has returned as South Africa coach for a third stint, after Belgian coach Hugo Broos departed.
The 62-year-old was previously a favourite of SAFA over three weeks ago before the federation officially announced his appointment on Tuesday. Mosimane has now come back to head Bafana Bafana and has a big qualifying campaign to come. He was first called up to the national team as an interim coach in 2007 for seven games until Carlos Alberto Parreira was appointed. After the 2010 World Cup, Mosimane was appointed South Africa’s permanent head coach.
His first full-term came to an end, though, when Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, prompting his sacking.
Since then Mosimane has re-established himself as one of the most prolific club coaches in Africa. He has won three CAF Champions League trophies and a number of domestic trophies with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
His reintroduction is timely for South Africa, as they head off to Africa later this month to kick off their 2027 AFCON qualifying schedule. Bafana Bafana will host Guinea before heading to Egypt to play the Eritrea, while Kenya are co-hosts.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan welcomed Mosimane back to the federation and pointed out the challenges they face as a country. Jordaan cited the Africa Cup of Nations and upcoming African Nations League as some of the main competitions South Africa will have in its future under Mosimane.
The seasoned coach will now have to bring his expertise on both the football map of South Africa and his rich continental experience as he enters his third stint with Bafana Bafana.
