JOHANNESBURG – In a move that has reignited the passion of South African football fans, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially approved the return of Pitso "Jingles" Mosimane as the head coach of Bafana Bafana. The decision, confirmed following an extraordinary meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Saturday, August 8, 2026, marks the beginning of a new era for the senior men’s national team.
Mosimane, who is widely regarded as the most successful coach in the history of South African football, returns to a post he left under a cloud in 2012. His appointment comes at a critical juncture, as he succeeds the Belgian Hugo Broos, whose five-year tenure transformed Bafana Bafana from continental also-rans into a respected force on the global stage.
The Return of the King
SAFA President Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC had reached a unanimous decision to bring Mosimane back to SAFA House. While a formal announcement is expected next week, the approval of the association’s highest decision-making body effectively seals the deal.
“The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends,” Jordaan said in a statement. “We will make a formal announcement of the coach next week.”
For Mosimane, the return is about more than just a job; it is about redemption. His first spell as head coach ended in June 2012 following a disastrous 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign. The low point of that tenure was the infamous "Dance of Shame" at Mbombela Stadium, where Bafana Bafana players and technical staff celebrated a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone, mistakenly believing they had qualified for the tournament based on goal difference. In reality, CAF rules used head-to-head records, and the draw resulted in South Africa’s elimination.
The Redemption of "Jingles"
Since that heartbreak in 2012, Mosimane has rebuilt his reputation to become one of the most feared and respected coaches on the African continent. His trophy-laden years at Mamelodi Sundowns saw him secure the 2016 CAF Champions League title, a feat he repeated twice more with Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.
His recent stints in the Middle East, including successful spells in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have further cemented his status as a world-class tactician. Even as he ventured into new territory with the launch of his podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso, in July 2026, the call of the national team remained a constant siren song.
Mosimane returns with his "chest out," insisting that he is ready to take Bafana Bafana to even greater heights. "No one is indispensable," Mosimane told News24 when asked about the role. "We can do a little bit better. We can raise the bar and leave the jersey in a better place."
Filling the Broos-Sized Void
Mosimane faces the daunting task of following in the footsteps of Hugo Broos, whose contract expired on July 31, 2026. Broos took over a broken team in 2021 and led them to a third-place finish at the 2023 Afcon. Most significantly, he guided Bafana Bafana to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America—a historic first for the country.
Despite the high bar set by the Belgian, Mosimane remains characteristically confident. He pointed to South Africa’s recent victories over continental heavyweights like Morocco, Nigeria, and Ghana as proof that the team belongs at the top table.
“Let’s just be realistic about what has happened. We can be there. Anything is possible,” Mosimane remarked, adding that the goal is not just to maintain the status quo but to surpass it.
The Technical Team Tussle
One of the key "loose ends" mentioned by Danny Jordaan is believed to be Mosimane’s insistence on bringing his own technical staff. Throughout his career at Sundowns and Al-Ahly, Mosimane has operated with a trusted inner circle of analysts, fitness trainers, and assistant coaches.
During Broos’ tenure, many of these roles were filled on a freelance basis by SAFA. However, Mosimane views a permanent, dedicated technical team as a prerequisite for success. News24 understands that negotiations are ongoing to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support his vision for the 2027 Afcon qualifiers and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Road to 2030
The immediate challenge for Mosimane will be the 2027 Afcon qualifiers, which are set to kick off in September. With a squad that has grown in confidence and experience under Broos, the expectations from the South African public will be sky-high.
However, the "bigger picture" for both Mosimane and SAFA is the 2030 World Cup. Having tasted the knockout stages in 2026, the nation now dreams of a deep run in the tournament, and Mosimane is the man tasked with turning that dream into a reality.
As the football world awaits the formal unveiling next week, the mood at SAFA House is one of cautious optimism. The return of Pitso Mosimane is a gamble, but it is one that many believe is necessary to ensure that the momentum built over the last five years is not lost. For "Jingles," the business is unfinished, and the stage is now set for his final act.
