Mosimane’s return was approved during a SAFA NEC Extraordinary Meeting at SAFA House on Saturday, with the former Bafana coach now set to take charge of the national team following the departure of Hugo Broos.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan confirmed that the NEC had backed Mosimane, although he cautioned that a few administrative details still need to be finalised before the appointment can be formally announced.

Pitso Mosimane - X

“The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement of the coach next week,” Jordaan said after the meeting.

The appointment comes at an intriguing time for Bafana, who return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed belief and a significant piece of history under their belts.

South Africa qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years and went a step further by reaching the second round of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.

Pitso Mosimane - X

The breakthrough came after Bafana stunned South Korea with a 1-0 victory in Monterrey, Mexico. Thapelo Maseko provided the decisive moment, scoring the only goal of the match to send South Africa into the knockout phase and spark celebrations back home.

Mosimane now faces the challenge of building on that progress and ensuring that Bafana do not simply rest on the achievements of the World Cup campaign.

The NEC meeting itself was described as a robust and constructive gathering, with several important matters on the agenda. Jordaan, who chaired the meeting, said members engaged fully with the issues before them.

Danny Jordaan and Pitso Mosimane - X

The association also received an update on preparations for the upcoming SAFA Elective Congress, scheduled for 12 September 2026.

For Bafana, however, the focus now shifts towards a new chapter. If all the remaining details are concluded as expected, Mosimane will once again be entrusted with steering South Africa’s senior men’s national team — a role he knows all too well.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport