Orlando Pirates legend Helman Mkhalele has begun his CAF A Licence qualification, signalling his readiness to take the Bafana Bafana reins.
It comes after coach Hugo Broos confirmed he’ll step down after the 2026 World Cup.
HELMAN MKHALELE, FORMERLY WITH ORLANDO PIRATES, PREPARES TO COACH BAFANA BAFANA
Broos, aged 73, announced he’ll be calling time on his long career next July. “I hoped, maybe even more than every player, that we would go to America,” he told the media. “For me, it’s sentimental. I was already at a World Cup as a player at the end of my career, and now I do it again as a coach. After that, I’ll stop, go to my family, and enjoy the next 20 years with my grandchildren,” the Belgian added.
Just a few weeks later, Broos named his preferred successor, his trusted assistant, Mkhalele. “The best thing to do is for Helman to become the coach after me,” Broos said. Broos further explained that appointing the former Orlando Pirates star after him would ensure a smooth transition, with the team’s working methods and football philosophy remaining consistent.
Broos described Mkhalele as a deep thinker who “sees football almost 95% like me,” but admitted the only obstacle is the coaching qualification requirement. “You can avoid that if Helman follows the UEFA Pro Licence courses,” Broos added.
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QUALIFICATION STUDIES BEGIN
The 56-year-old, affectionately known as Midnight Express, has just taken the first step toward that goal. He’s currently in Maseru, Lesotho, working on his CAF A Licence.
Born in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhalele started coaching in 2016 as South Africa’s U20 caretaker before taking the role full-time in 2017. He joined Broos’ technical team in 2021, and together they returned South Africa to the top.
As a player, Mkhalele made his name at Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates before moving to Turkey, where he turned out for Kayserispor, Ankaragücü, Göztepe, and Malatyaspor between 1997 and 2005.
In the meantime, Mkhalele is training Bafana for their friendly against Zambia on 15 November at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, kick-off is set for 15:00.