The South African Football Association (SAFA) have approved Mosimane’s appointment as the successor to Hugo Broos. Negotiations now focus on finalising his contract and salary.
According to SABC Sport, SAFA initially offered Mosimane a package worth R5 million per year. It was communicated to him by CFO Grony Hluyo following a meeting between the association’s senior executives and the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach.
The initial offer was significantly below the reported R1.4 million-a-month salary Broos earned during his time in charge of Bafana Bafana.
However, SAFA have now reportedly doubled that initial package following Saturday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at SAFA House, which approved Mosimane’s return.
PITSO MOSIMANE’S SAFA RETURN
The SAFA Technical Committee, led by Jack Maluleke, had already identified Mosimane as their preferred candidate to replace Broos.
SAFA’s senior executives subsequently visited Mosimane as they worked towards finalising his return to the national team. The delegation included CEO Lydia Monyepao, CFO Grony Hluyo, Technical Director Molefi Ntseki and Chief Medical Officer Thulani Ngwenya.
The latest development suggests SAFA are prepared to make a significantly bigger financial commitment.
Mosimane began his professional head coaching career with SuperSport United in 2001.
His six-year spell included consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier Soccer League, while he also won several domestic cup trophies.
His success earned him an opportunity with Bafana Bafana. First as caretaker coach in 2007. He later worked as an assistant under Carlos Alberto Parreira and Joel Santana during the build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In July 2010, Mosimane was promoted to permanent head coach. He started his reign with a 1-0 victory over Ghana. But his first spell with Bafana Bafana ended in disappointment in 2012.
A mathematical error surrounding the qualification permutations after a draw against Sierra Leone resulted in South Africa missing out on the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Mosimane was subsequently dismissed.
BAFANA BAFANA LEGACY
Mosimane’s reputation grew considerably after his first Bafana Bafana spell. He joined Mamelodi Sundowns in late 2012. He embarked on an eight-year golden era that transformed the club into one of Africa’s dominant forces.
Mosimane won five domestic league titles with Sundowns. He also delivered the club’s greatest continental achievement in 2016. He won the CAF Champions League.
That triumph made Mosimane the first South African coach to lead a South African club to the continental crown. His success earned him a move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in 2020.
He guided the Cairo giants to consecutive CAF Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021. He also led Al Ahly to two bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup
Mosimane later expanded his international coaching experience with spells at Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli Jeddah and Abha Club, UAE side Al Wahda and Iranian giants Esteghlal.
Now, in August 2026, Mosimane is set to return to the Bafana Bafana hot seat. SAFA’s decision to double the initial offer underlines the importance attached to his appointment.
His challenge will be to turn that momentum into sustained success and build a Bafana Bafana side capable of competing consistently at the highest level of African football.
South Africa faces a high-stakes shootout in Group D of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Guinea, Eritrea, and co-hosts Kenya. Because Kenya automatically qualifies as hosts, only one other team from this group can advance to the finals. This unique rule eliminates the safety net of a second-place finish, meaning Bafana Bafana must essentially outperform Guinea to secure their spot.
The entire campaign takes place over three quick international windows, starting with Matchdays 1 and 2 in September 2026. South Africa opens at home against Guinea before traveling to Eritrea. They will face Kenya in a November 2026 double-header, and then wrap up the final group matches in March 2027 to decide who books their ticket to East Africa.
