Pitso Mosimane has officially applied to become the next Bafana Bafana head coach following Hugo Broos’s confirmation of his departure.
A South African Football Association official told AFP that several high-profile candidates had applied for the post.
The official, who asked not to be named because they are not an official spokesperson, said Mosimane was among the applicants.
“There have been numerous applications for the post of national coach and Pitso Mosimane is among them,” the official said.
The search comes after Broos confirmed that his time as Bafana coach is over.
Broos could stay involved
Broos may still remain involved with the national team in another role.
The SAFA official said the Belgian could continue working with Bafana in a different capacity.
Broos told Belgian magazine Humo that he had already spoken to SAFA president Danny Jordaan.
“He would like to keep me, but in a different role, as an advisor or something like that,” Broos said.
The 74-year-old said he would return at the end of July to say his final goodbyes and hear what Jordaan proposes.
Broos leaves strong legacy
Broos said he had decided months ago to retire after South Africa’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
Bafana Bafana finished second behind co-hosts Mexico in Group A and reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
They were later eliminated by Canada in the round of 32.
Broos previously said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He also guided South Africa to a bronze medal at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
That was Bafana’s best continental finish since 2000.
Mosimane brings big pedigree
Mosimane’s application is expected to excite many South African football fans.
The 61-year-old former Bafana forward previously coached the national team from 2010.
He was later fired after a home draw with Ethiopia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Mosimane rebuilt his reputation during a successful spell at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the CAF Champions League in 2016.
He also became the first sub-Saharan African to coach Al Ahly in Egypt.
At Al Ahly, he reached three consecutive CAF Champions League finals and won two.
The next Bafana coach will face an immediate test, with 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea scheduled for September and October.