Mosimane Leading Race To Replace Broos As Bafana Coach

Sportswire has been reliably informed that Pitso Mosimane is the number-one choice to succeed Broos, with plans to bring in Manqoba Mngqithi as his assistant coach.

Interestingly, current assistant Helman Mkhalele might retain his position in the national setup, as he is represented by Mosimane’s wife and prominent agent, Moira Tlhagale. 

Mosimane, who led Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title, previously served as a Bafana Bafana coach between 2010 and 2012.

Meanwhile, outgoing Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says his successor will inherit a highly capable squad and will not require any parting advice from him. 

Broos bowed out as national team coach following Bafana Bafana’s historic FIFA World Cup journey, which ended in a heartbreaking Round of 32 exit against co-hosts Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday.

The Belgian tactician, who took the helm in May 2021, confirmed that he will officially retire from professional football post-World Cup, though he noted he would be open to assisting South African football in a less demanding advisory capacity.

Reflecting on his journey, Broos noted that he has spent 55 years in the game since signing his first professional contract at the age of 19.

Now 74, he leaves a monumental legacy. By guiding Bafana Bafana out of the group stages in North America, he became the first coach ever to lead South Africa to the World Cup knockout rounds. Furthermore, at 74 years and 75 days old, Broos officially bows out as the oldest head coach to win a match in FIFA World Cup history.

When asked if he would offer a blueprint to the incoming technical team, Broos was emphatic.

“This is not something I will do,” Broos stated.

“When a new coach arrives, he must work his own way. He doesn’t need to listen to me or take my advice on what to do; he will know his job. Right now, the only thing I can say is that he is getting a good team. It is up to him to work with it, identify the remaining gaps, and make the squad progress even further. That is all I have to say. If someone is appointed coach of Bafana Bafana, they should already know what needs to be done.”

Broos was originally appointed in May 2021 during a dark period for local football, immediately after Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

However, the veteran coach quickly turned things around. He led South Africa back to the continental showpiece, famously claiming a bronze medal in Ivory Coast—Bafana’s first podium finish since 2000.

He then capped off his tenure by guiding the nation to its first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010, and its first via automated qualification since 2002.

The former Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations-winning manager emphasized that the incoming coach will inherit a squad whose psychological fiber has transformed drastically compared to the team he found five years ago.

“When I arrived in South Africa five years ago and watched my first training session, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Broos recalled. “The mentality was not right. I had to stop the session and tell them, ‘This is your job; you have to work. You do not come to the national team for a few days off before heading back to your clubs.’

“If you want to achieve success, changing the mentality of the national team is absolute paramount. I think that shift is precisely what made us successful. Look at the match against Canada—we fought for it until the 90th minute. I saw players going down every minute because the intensity was so high. They were willing to die on the field, and that is an attitude that must remain in this team.”

Across 60 matches at the helm, the Belgian tactician recorded 29 wins, 19 draws, and 12 defeats.