JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Pitso Mosimane has emerged as a leading candidate to take over as head coach of South Africa’s national team after current boss Hugo Broos confirmed he will step down following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Broos, who led Bafana Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2024, has been in charge since 2021. The 74-year-old Belgian tactician has reportedly informed the South African Football Association (SAFA) that he will not seek an extension after his current contract expires at the end of the tournament.
Mosimane, one of Africa’s most decorated coaches, has been out of work since leaving Al Ahli in January 2026. The 61-year-old has previously expressed interest in the Bafana Bafana role, stating it would be “a dream” to lead his country. The former Mamelodi Sundowns boss has won five CAF Champions League titles and managed Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Other names linked to the position include former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer and current Stellenbosch FC boss Steve Barker, but Mosimane is regarded as the frontrunner. His extensive experience on the continent, coupled with his proven track record of success, makes him a compelling choice for the role.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan has confirmed the association is already drawing up a shortlist and will conduct interviews after the World Cup.
“After the World Cup, we will sit down and evaluate the coach, and then we can announce who is going to take over,” Jordaan told journalists.
Broos himself has acknowledged that the time may be right for a new coach to take the team forward.
“After the World Cup, it will be a good moment for a change. I have done what I came to do. The team is in a good place and now needs new energy,” Broos said in a recent interview.
Mosimane has also built a reputation for developing young players, which aligns with SAFA’s long-term vision for the national team. However, some critics have raised concerns about his salary demands and whether he would be willing to work within the federation’s budget.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign is currently underway in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The team is competing in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates, and will be hoping to advance beyond the group stages for the first time since 2002.
The South African football public has long clamoured for Mosimane to take the reins, and his potential appointment would be met with widespread approval. The prospect of a local coach with a deep understanding of the domestic game leading the national team is seen by many as a positive step for the development of football in the country.
However, SAFA faces a delicate balancing act. While Mosimane is a popular and high-profile candidate, the federation must also consider financial constraints and the need to maintain a sustainable coaching structure. The salary package offered to the next coach will be a key factor in determining whether Mosimane accepts the role.
The search for Broos’s successor is expected to intensify as the World Cup progresses. For now, Mosimane remains the frontrunner, and his return to the Bafana Bafana bench would signal a new chapter for South African football. As the nation watches its team compete on the world stage, the future of the national team’s leadership is already a topic of intense speculation and excitement.
