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Pitso Mosimane set for sensational Bafana Bafana return after SAFA NEC backing BAFANA BAFANA Former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is set for a return as national head coach after the departure of Hugo Broos. Image: BackpagePix The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) National Executive Committee (NEC) has approved the appointment of Pitso Mosimane as the new Bafana Bafana head coach. Mosimane is set to return to the national team following the departure of Hugo Broos, who retired from coaching with the end of his term on July 31 after leading South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockouts. SAFA held an Extraordinary NEC Meeting at SAFA House on Saturday, where members backed Mosimane to take charge of the senior men’s national team. The appointment still requires some final details to be concluded before SAFA makes the announcement official. “The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement of the coach next week,” SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan said following the meeting. Mosimane’s return would mark a significant new chapter for Bafana, having previously guided the national team between 2010 and 2012. He left the position after failing to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but went on to build an illustrious club career with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly. His time at Sundowns produced five Betway Premiership titles and the club’s first CAF Champions League triumph in 2016. Mosimane also won the CAF Champions League twice with Al Ahly and became the first African coach to win the competition with two different clubs. The 62-year-old now faces the challenge of building on the progress made under Broos, who returned Bafana to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and helped secure consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearances. The timing of the appointment is also significant, with Bafana preparing for the next phase of their international programme, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Mosimane’s immediate task will be to maintain South Africa’s upward trajectory while raising expectations around what the national team can achieve on the continental stage. SAFA is expected to formally unveil the new coach next week, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the Bafana position following Broos’ departure. Related Topics: