Pitso Mosimane Returns as South Africa Coach Ahead of AFCON 2027

Pitso Mosimane is back. South Africa have turned once more to their most decorated modern coach, handing him the national team just weeks before the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins.

The South African Football Association moved quickly, replacing Belgian coach Hugo Broos with a man whose CV already dominates the local game. It is a return weighted with expectation rather than nostalgia.

Mosimane does not arrive as a sentimental choice. He brings 20 major titles from a career built on relentless winning, from domestic dominance to continental glory. Three times he has conquered the CAF Champions League – first with Mamelodi Sundowns, then twice with Egyptian giants Al Ahly – achievements that cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s elite coaches.

At home, his record is just as imposing. Five South African league titles, a benchmark of consistency in a league that rarely allows long-term control. Abroad, he has tested himself in demanding environments: Al Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Al Wahda in the UAE, Abha in Saudi Arabia again, and most recently Iran’s Esteghlal. Each move added another layer to his tactical and cultural experience.

The timing of this appointment is no coincidence. With AFCON 2027 qualifiers looming, South Africa have chosen experience over experiment. They want a steady hand, a coach who has managed pressure on bigger stages and thrived.

The new era starts quickly. Mosimane’s first assignment comes against Guinea on 26 September, a sharp introduction to competitive duty. Four days later, Eritrea await. Then, in November, comes a potentially decisive home-and-away duel with Kenya, the kind of double-header that can define a qualifying campaign.

South Africa have made their call. They have gone back to a serial winner. Now the question is simple: can Pitso Mosimane turn that personal pedigree into a place at Africa’s biggest show in 2027?