Pitso Mosimane has officially returned to the Bafana Bafana hot seat after being unveiled as South Africa’s new head coach on Tuesday.
The highly decorated coach was presented at SAFA House in Johannesburg, bringing weeks of uncertainty over the national team’s next permanent coach to an end.
Mosimane’s appointment comes after the South African Football Association’s National Executive Committee approved his return in August, although the deal was delayed while the two sides worked through the remaining contractual details.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan previously confirmed that the NEC had approved Mosimane but said the organisation still had some “loose ends” to resolve before the appointment could be formally announced.
Those negotiations reportedly included the composition of Mosimane’s technical team, with trusted members of his coaching staff expected to join him in the national setup.
And after weeks of negotiations, the deal has finally been sealed.
Mosimane has made it clear that he sees his return to Bafana as far more than another coaching appointment.
Speaking after being unveiled, the veteran coach stressed that representing the national team carries a responsibility that extends beyond his own name.
“I know that this is bigger than Pitso Mosimane. I accept this role with great humility.”
Mosimane also indicated that he believes he still has plenty to contribute to South African football.
“I take this responsibility knowing that I still have something to give in football, especially in my country.”
He reinforced that message by describing the job as a national responsibility rather than simply another position on his coaching CV.
“This is simply not just a coaching job, this is bigger than Pitso Mosimane.”
Mosimane is returning to a job he knows well, having previously been appointed Bafana Bafana head coach in 2010.
His first permanent spell lasted until 2012, following earlier involvement with the national team as an assistant and caretaker coach.
His departure came after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations following a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone in their final qualifier.
South Africa had initially believed the result was enough to secure qualification before the head-to-head rule ultimately worked against them.
Mosimane returns more than a decade later with a vastly different coaching résumé.
His most successful period came at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he guided the club to the 2016 CAF Champions League title.
He later took charge of Egyptian giants Al Ahly and added two more CAF Champions League titles to his collection, while also reaching the competition’s final three times in succession.
That experience at the highest level of African club football has helped make Mosimane one of the continent’s most decorated coaches.
The new Bafana coach will have little time to settle into his position before facing his first competitive assignments.
South Africa’s next major challenge is the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Bafana scheduled to face Guinea before travelling to Egypt for their clash with Eritrea later in September.
Bafana are also entering a new era after their impressive 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign under Hugo Broos.
The national team reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, setting a new benchmark for whoever took over from the Belgian coach.
Mosimane therefore inherits a squad that has already raised expectations among South African football supporters.
His first major opportunity to put his stamp on the team will come with his squad selection.
Mosimane is expected to surround himself with members of his trusted coaching staff as he begins his second stint in charge of Bafana.
Kabelo Rangoaga and performance analyst Musi Matlaba have been linked to the new technical setup after working with Mosimane during previous coaching assignments.
The composition of the rest of the technical team is also expected to become clearer as Mosimane settles into his new role.
The challenge now facing the 62-year-old coach is to build on the progress made under Broos while introducing his own philosophy and methods.
Broos leaves behind a Bafana side that qualified for the 2026 World Cup and made history by reaching the knockout phase.
Mosimane will be expected not only to maintain that momentum but to push the national team further on the continental stage.
For the veteran coach, his return represents another opportunity to lead his country after his first stint ended in disappointment.
This time, however, Mosimane returns with years of international experience, multiple continental titles and a reputation as one of Africa’s most successful coaches.
The pressure will be immediate, with the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign providing his first major test back in the Bafana dugout.