Pitso Mosimane hints at interest in Bafana job

Veteran coach Pitso Mosimane has hinted at possibly throwing his hat in the ring for the Bafana Bafana coaching job when it becomes vacant next year.

The Bafana Bafana job will be available after the 2026 World Cup when Hugo Broos intends to leave and retire from coaching and a number of candidates have been mentioned as possible replacements.

Broos’ assistant Helman Mkhalele is among those who have been endorsed for the job but it looks like Mosimane is also salivating for the national team job.

While not saying where he would prefer to coach, the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach has expressed a desire to handle a national team and take them to an Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.

Pitso reveals where he would like to coach

“I’ve always said that if you put everything on the table… We’ve been to the FIFA Club World Cup three times, we’ve got medals, and we’ve done Champions League,” Mosimane told FARPost.

“We’ve done the PSL and other things, but one thing we’ve not done… I’d love to leave a footprint on the AFCON, and I’d like to be part of a team at the World Cup,” said the five-time PSL champion.

Mosimane, who has won three CAF Champions League titles, two with Al Ahly and one with Sundowns, feels qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and World now is not as difficult as before following an increase in the number of participating teams.

“When we were there, there were only 16 teams; now it’s 24,” added Mosimane, who was Bafana Bafana coach between 2010 and 2012.

Will Mosimane land the Bafana Bafana job?

“Come on, we have to be in the [Africa] Cup of Nations. Are we that unlucky? It’s 24 teams. When I was there, it was 16 teams. To go to the World Cup, it was five [African teams], now it’s nine, and it could be 10 [playoff spot].”

As if putting himself in contention for the Bafana Bafana job, Mosimane says South Africa should now be a permanent fixture in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.

“Now, things are much easier. SA belongs to the top 10. I’m not trying to say it’s easy to qualify, but I’m saying the process is much better,” he added.

“It’s inclusive and empowers Africa to participate in these tournaments and generate more income. Many African countries are represented; we can now see many players, overseas teams can scout, and there’s more money for teams. But you still have European numbers doubled on the other side.”