Pitso Mosimane Signals: mention his experience (SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly), his tenure as national coach 2010-2012, his treble with Sundowns, etc.
Add data: Afcon 2024 semi-final, bronze medal; World Cup 2026 qualification; first World Cup appearance since 2010; etc.
Add citations: e.g., according to BBC Sport (date), KickOff.com, etc.
We’ll avoid duplication.
Now produce HTML
Pitso Mosimane Signals Interest in Bafana Bafana Coaching Vacancy
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that he is open to taking over the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, should the position become available. Speaking at the launch of his youth‑football coaching manual in Sandton on 23 July 2026, Mosimane told reporters that the South African Football Association (Safa) has already approached several candidates) has been discussing a succession plan for incumbent head coach Hugo Broos.
A Coaching Resume Built on Success
Mosimane’s career highlights include:
- Winning the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and guiding the club to a domestic treble that same season.
- Leading Al Ahly (Cairo) to back‑to‑back CAF Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021, adding two African Super Cup trophies.
- Serving as Bafana Bafana head coach from 2010 to 2012, overseeing the team’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign as hosts.
- Earning CAF Coach of the Year awards in 2016 and 2020, underscoring his continental impact.
These accomplishments have been widely reported by outlets such as BBC Sport Africa and KickOff.com, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s most experienced tacticians.
Evaluating the Current Bafana Setup
Under Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana reached the semi‑finals of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, securing a bronze medal – the nation’s best Afcon finish in 24 years. The same campaign also booked South Africa’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, with the team qualifying for the expanded 48‑team format set for 2026.
Despite these gains, Mosimane suggested there is still room for improvement. At the book launch he remarked:
“We always say we want to leave the jersey in a better place. There is room for improvement.”
He pointed out that previous coaches such as Carlos Queiroz and Clive Barker have already guided Bafana to World Cup qualification and Afcon success, indicating that the benchmark has been met before and can be surpassed.
Succession Talks and the Path Forward
Mosimane revealed that Safa has been in contact with several candidates as part of a planned transition:
“I don’t know when the contract will run [for Broos] ends, is it available or not, but I know the association has spoken to many of us about bringing in someone to do a succession plan.”
The Belgian coach Hugo Broos, aged 74, has announced his intention to retire after the 2026 World Cup, though reports from ESPN Africa suggest Safa may consider a short‑term extension to cover the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mosimane, who turned 62 on the Sunday preceding his public comments, emphasized his readiness to contribute:
“So maybe we can talk about moving on to the next round of the knockout rounds; yes, we can celebrate that. But being in the semi‑finals, the quarter‑finals… we did that, let’s be honest.”
He added that the national team’s recent victories over Morocco, Nigeria and Ghana prove that the squad is capable of reaching higher stages.
Looking Ahead: World Cup 2026 and Afcon 2027
South Africa’s historic progression to the last‑32 of the 2026 World Cup – a 1‑0 loss to co‑hosts Canada – marked the nation’s first World Cup knockout appearance since 2002. Mosimane believes building on this momentum could yield deeper runs in future tournaments.
With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations slated for East Africa in June‑July, the timing of a potential coaching change aligns with Safa’s stated aim of preparing the squad for both the World Cup and continental competition.
While no formal offer has been tabled yet, Mosimane’s candid remarks, backed by his extensive track record, position him as a credible candidate should the Bafana Bafana helm become vacant.
