Pitso Mosimane puts SAFA on alert over Bafana job – ‘I can sign the contract today’

Amid widespread speculation linking him to several high-profile coaching positions, veteran manager Pitso Mosimane has unequivocally stated his primary ambition: to lead Bafana Bafana.

Mosimane has been a free agent since his departure from Iranian club Esteghlal FC in January 2025.

His name has been frequently mentioned in connection with top South African clubs, including Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and a potential return to Mamelodi Sundowns. However, the decorated coach has made it clear that the national team job is his top priority.

In a recent interview with the SMWX podcast, Mosimane confirmed his strong interest in the Bafana Bafana position. “I am interested,” he declared, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.

The missing medal: Pisto’s AFCON ambition

For Mosimane, the motivation is clear: winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with his home country. He views it as the final, crowning achievement of his illustrious career on the continent.

“The medal that I want to close everything, the medal I don’t have in the continent, so I would love to do that with Bafana and win the AFCON,” he explained.

Mosimane believes the current generation of South African players possess the quality to secure the nation’s second AFCON title, the first since their historic 1996 victory.

“That is the one I want, but I am not campaigning,” he added. “The football association will put whoever they think is right, but if you ask me today, would you sign the contract? I would sign it today because it means a lot to me and because we are at the right time, the right generation.”

‘South Africa has the product to win’

The former Al Ahly coach pointed to the cyclical nature of international football success, suggesting that South Africa’s time has come. He highlighted the strength of the country’s top clubs as a key factor.

“South Africa, we have the product to win the AFCON,” Mosimane asserted. “We came third in the edition before [AFCON 2023], but I think [Mamelodi] Sundowns, [Orlando] Pirates, [Kaizer] Chiefs also is coming through, and they have the capacity to give us the players to fight.”

He emphasised the importance of continental club competitions in developing top-tier talent. “I like it when Chiefs is playing Confederation Cup, Pirates and Sundowns in Champions League, and that is where you test yourself. So we have an opportunity now,” he said.

Mosimane, who previously managed Bafana Bafana from 2010 to 2012, will have to wait for his chance as current Bafana boss Hugo Broos is expected to vacate his post after the 2026 World Cup, with a decision on his successor likely to be made around June.

Broos has already named his assistant Helman Mkhalele as the man to take over from him and it remains to be seen whom SAFA will hand the big job.