Pitso Mosimane has been formally confirmed as head coach of the South Africa national football team, Bafana Bafana, on Tuesday — 24 days after the national football association first approved his appointment on 8 August. The announcement ends a protracted delay that left the team with scant time to prepare for their next competitive fixture.
Time pressure ahead of Guinea qualifier
Mosimane, 62, inherits the senior role with just 23 days to ready the squad for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at home to Guinea. Guinea, who failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, nevertheless pose a threat with one of the continent’s leading Europe-based forwards, Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund.
The association’s president, Danny Jordaan, had earlier indicated the need for final formalities to be concluded, saying:
“we need to tie up some loose ends”
The delay in making Mosimane’s appointment public was described as unexpectedly long by the reporting outlet that first covered the story.
Second stint at the helm and a mixed record
Mosimane returns for a second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana after an earlier, unsuccessful two-year stint beginning in 2010. During that period the national side failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON. He was later dismissed following a home draw against Ethiopia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
At club level, Mosimane carries an impressive résumé. He won the CAF Champions League once with Mamelodi Sundowns and twice with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. In addition he has lifted the CAF Super Cup on three occasions. Those six continental club titles make him the most successful black coach in CAF club competitions, the reporting notes, with Portuguese coach Manuel José having won eight titles with Al Ahly.
His coaching résumé also includes spells in the Middle East and Iran, after three seasons with Al Ahly that raised his profile beyond the continent. Mosimane’s new national contract runs until the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Immediate priorities for Mosimane
With the clock ticking, the immediate task for Mosimane will be to assemble a squad, finalise staff and establish a tactical plan for the Guinea match. Key considerations will include player availability from European clubs, match fitness, and whether recent international standouts can be integrated quickly into his system.
- Appointment approved: 8 August (association president Danny Jordaan said loose ends remained)
- Formal confirmation: Tuesday, 24 days after approval
- Preparation time: 23 days until AFCON qualifier vs Guinea
- Contract length: Until the 2030 World Cup
What the record says
Mosimane’s record splits neatly between club and country. While his first national tenure ended in disappointment, his club achievements with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly have set him apart regionally and raised expectations about his ability to impose structure and win tournaments.
| Area | Notes from reporting |
|---|---|
| Previous Bafana spell | Unsuccessful two-year stint from 2010; failed to qualify for 2012 AFCON; sacked after draw with Ethiopia in a 2014 WC qualifier |
| Club achievements | CAF Champions League: 3 titles (1 with Mamelodi Sundowns, 2 with Al Ahly); CAF Super Cup: 3 titles |
| International experience | Coached in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran |
The confirmation will be watched closely by supporters and stakeholders who expect Mosimane to translate his club-level success into consistent results for Bafana Bafana. The limited lead-up to the Guinea fixture, however, presents an early and urgent test of his ability to galvanise the team and secure points in qualifying.
As the countdown begins, attention will fall on squad selection, training camps and which players Mosimane believes can form the backbone of his side through the AFCON qualifying campaign and toward the 2030 World Cup cycle.
