Pitso Mosimane: 10 things you didn’t know about Bafana Bafana’s new coach

He is back! Pitso Mosimane arrives at SAFA House with unfinished business, a point to prove, and a continent of experience.

Unveiled as Bafana Bafana’s new head coach on Tuesday, ‘Jingles’ succeeds Hugo Broos, who guided the team to a historic World Cup knockout stage.

But behind the trophies and the global CV is a story far richer than most fans know. Here are 10 things you didn’t know.

SAFA announces the new Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Pitso Mosimane and his technical team 🇿🇦💚💛#BafanaPride #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/APBw79vOxZ

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 1, 2026

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1. He Was Among SA’s Top 100 Matric Students

Before he was a coach, Mosimane was a top student. He excelled academically, ranking among South Africa’s top 100 matriculants of his year — the intellectual foundation of one of the continent’s sharpest tactical minds.

2. Football Royalty Ran in His Family

His uncles Gabriel “Tikkie” Khoza and Edward “Msomi” Khoza played for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively. South Africa’s two biggest rivals were both represented under one Kagiso roof.

3. He Was Once SA Football’s Most Expensive Player

In 1986, Pitso Mosimane became the most expensive player in the league when he held the transfer record of R60,000 — he was top of the players that Mamelodi Sundowns owner Zola Mahobe spent a lot of money to acquire.

4. He Spent Six Seasons Playing in Greece

He moved to Ionikos in Greece in 1989, spending six years learning the language and soaking up European tactics. “Greece changed me — different culture, top coaches,” he said. Central News

5. He First Coached at 31 — While Still a Player

His first-ever coaching spell was in 1995 as a 31-year-old while playing for Rita Berlaar in Belgium — as an assistant for the club’s youth team.

6. He Once Had Robin van Persie Under His Wing

A tenure at Dutch clubs Feyenoord and Heerenveen, under legendary European coaches Foppe de Haan and Albert Stuivenberg, gave him the chance to coach future world-class player Robin van Persie.

7. Ted Dumitru Made Him a Coach

The late Ted Dumitru inspired him to become a coach. Dumitru spotted the coaching instinct in the player and later brought him in as Bafana assistant at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt.

8. He Was Ranked the World’s 10th Best Coach

In December 2016, Mosimane was ranked as the 10th best coach in the world for 2016, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) — the highest any African coach has ever reached on that list.

9. His Wife Is Also His Agent

Moira Tlhagale Mosimane is the founder and CEO of MT Sports Marketing and Management agency — among the most prominent sports marketing companies in South Africa, and the same company that represents her husband.

10. FIFA Forced a Saudi Club to Pay Him $1.15 Million

FIFA ordered Al Ahli to pay $1.15 million to Pitso Mosimane after the South African won his case against the Saudi club. Al Ahli had terminated his contract despite an automatic extension clause — triggered because he had delivered promotion to the Saudi Pro League.