Pitso Mosimane has been named the new head coach of the South Africa national team. The South African Football Association (SAFA) made the appointment official on 1 September 2026, bringing the highly decorated manager in to replace Hugo Broos, as confirmed by SAFA.net. Mosimane's first assignment is to steer Bafana Bafana through their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, which kick off this month.
Broos departed the role on 31 July after five years, a period that saw him guide the team to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team's recent performances highlight the task at hand; South Africa are second in their World Cup qualifying group with four points from three games, having a goal difference of minus one. Their last outing was a 1-0 loss to Canada on 28 June.
What credentials does Pitso Mosimane bring?
Pitso Mosimane arrives with a formidable track record in African football. He is a three-time CAF Champions League winner, securing the title with Mamelodi Sundowns and later twice with Al Ahly. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan welcomed him back to the association's headquarters, stressing the importance of his pedigree for the coming competitions. Dr Jordaan identified the AFCON, the new African Nations League, and the 2030 World Cup as primary targets for the national team.
The African Nations League is a fresh continental tournament set to take over from the CHAN championship and will operate on a two-year schedule. South Africa has ambitions to host the final of that competition. The 2030 World Cup, to be staged in Portugal, Spain and Morocco, will be the second global finals held on the African continent, following the 2010 event in South Africa.
When are South Africa's next games?
Mosimane, assisted by Kabelo Rangoaga and Musi Matlaba, has no time to settle. The team's AFCON 2027 qualifying journey starts with a home fixture against Guinea on 26 September 2026. The specific venue for that match will be confirmed shortly. A quick turnaround follows with an away trip to face Eritrea on 30 September. The finals tournament is scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao stated that work commenced immediately. "Preparations started as soon as yesterday," she noted, underlining the urgency of the upcoming qualifiers. Mosimane is swiftly getting to know his new environment and will announce a preliminary squad in the next few days. Supporters can follow all upcoming matches on our dedicated fixtures section.
How did Hugo Broos react to the appointment?
Former coach Hugo Broos, speaking from Belgium, offered warm congratulations to his successor. He described Mosimane as "one of the most successful coaches South Africa has ever produced," referencing his triumphs in domestic and North African football. Mosimane thanked Broos, his technical staff, and the players for their efforts, which he believes restored belief and established a new standard for the national side.
In his introductory remarks, Mosimane focused on national unity. "We may come from different places, speak different languages, support rival clubs and have different aspirations or arguments, but when that national anthem plays, those differences fall away," the new coach said. His mission is to elevate the team from its current platform. The composition of his first squad can be monitored on our squad page.
What is South Africa's current competitive status?
Bafana Bafana's form has been inconsistent, recording one victory, two draws and two defeats in their last five internationals. In World Cup qualifying, they trail group leaders Mexico by five points. The broader vision, per Dr Jordaan, is securing a place at the 2030 World Cup, while competitions like the COSAFA Cup will be used for squad development. The team's detailed stats from the qualifying campaign are available for review.
Pitso Mosimane has already begun work. His inaugural match as South Africa boss is the home qualifier against Guinea on 26 September.
