Pitso Mosimane is set to take charge of the South Africa national team for a third spell ahead of a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea. The match will be played in Orlando this Saturday.
Former Bafana Bafana captain Ricardo Katza, who played under Mosimane at SuperSport United and in his first national team game in 2006, has endorsed the appointment. "I think this is the right time for Pitso to take over again," Katza said. He believes Mosimane's extensive coaching experience abroad has sharpened his tactical approach.
Katza, who earned 20 caps for his country, highlighted a positive shift in squad selection. He noted that players like Relebohile Mofokeng, Olwethu Makhanya, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Shandre Campbell are now being chosen because they play regularly for their clubs overseas, not only sit on the bench. He estimates about 75% of players in opposing national teams are based outside their home countries, making this experience invaluable.
"He will come with his own ideas and methods, but I think Hugo Broos has left him a good foundation," Katza added, referencing the coach Mosimane succeeds. The team's recent form provides a solid platform, with South Africa sitting second in their World Cup qualifying group on four points from three games. Their last outing was a commanding 5-0 victory over Eritrea, where Mofokeng scored twice.
Katza recalled Mosimane's careful coaching style from their time together at SuperSport, where the manager immediately insisted on playing out from the back instead of a direct approach. He described Mosimane as an incredibly hard worker with a strong commitment to player development both on and off the pitch.
The upcoming qualifier is a key step for Mosimane's new tenure. After the Guinea fixture, the team's focus will quickly turn to a World Cup qualifier against Egypt next week. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full fixtures schedule. The current squad reflects the growing trend of selecting active overseas-based talent that Katza advocates for.
Background and full detail: forbesafrica.com
