Pitso Mosimane was officially appointed as head coach of the South Africa national football team on September 1, 2026, succeeding Belgian Hugo Broos who retired after the 2026 World Cup [1, 2, 3]. Mosimane, age 62, returns for his third spell at the helm, having served as interim coach in 2007 and from 2010 to 2012 when he was sacked after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations [1, 2, 3].
SAFA president Danny Jordaan said on August 8 that the association needed to resolve outstanding issues delaying Mosimane's appointment, noting, "We need to tie up some loose ends" [3]. The final confirmation came more than three weeks after SAFA announced Mosimane as their preferred candidate [1, 2, 3].
Since leaving the national team in 2012, Mosimane has established a successful coaching career at club level, winning three CAF Champions League titles—one with Mamelodi Sundowns and two with Egyptian giants Al Ahly—and securing three CAF Super Cup trophies [1, 2, 3]. He also won multiple domestic league titles and coached in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran after his time at Al Ahly [3]. Mosimane is considered South Africa’s most successful Black coach in CAF club competitions with six continental titles in total [3].
Mosimane’s contract as head coach runs through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup [3]. His immediate task will be leading South Africa in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The national team will open their campaign later in September 2026 with a home match against Guinea, followed by away fixtures against Eritrea in Egypt and Kenya [1, 2, 3]. Guinea failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON but possess a top striker in Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy [3].
The AFCON qualifiers will provide Mosimane an early test as he seeks to guide South Africa back to continental prominence. The first qualifier at home against Guinea is scheduled for late September 2026 [1, 2, 3].