Bafana Coaching Crisis: Ntseki Line Up As Interim Coach Amid Mosimane Standoff
Sportswire has been informed that the South African Football Association (SAFA) may turn to Technical Director Molefi Ntseki to lead Bafana Bafana on an interim basis for next month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
This publication understands that Pitso Mosimane, whom the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) approved as head coach earlier this month, is refusing to yield to the association’s contract terms.
On 8 August, the NEC—the highest decision-making body responsible for appointing national team coaches—approved Mosimane’s return during an extraordinary meeting at SAFA House.
At the time, the association stated: “The NEC has approved the appointment of coach Pitso to Bafana Bafana, but we still need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement of the coach next week.”
Those unresolved details are now proving to be a major stumbling block. Mosimane remains firm on bringing in his full technical backroom staff—the same team that accompanied him during successful spells at Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.
A member of the SAFA technical committee told Sportswire that the association is struggling to meet Mosimane’s demands. As a result, SAFA has lined up Ntseki as Plan A to guide the team temporarily while contract negotiations continue.
An alternative option was to request that former head coach Hugo Broos take charge of next month’s fixtures, but Broos has no interest in returning.
Broos stepped down at the end of July following a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where he guided South Africa to the knockout stages for the first time. Appointed in May 2021 on a five-year deal, the veteran Belgian tactician had previously signaled his intention to retire after the tournament.
Broos’ exit triggered a broader backroom exodus. Performance analyst Sinesipho Mali and fitness coach Kopano Melesi both announced their departures following the World Cup. Consequently, the remaining core staff supporting squad stability includes only the team manager, medical doctor, security officer, kit managers, and media officer.
Adding to the turmoil, goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson recently publicly criticized the association, exposing internal operational issues during the World Cup.
Bafana Bafana host Guinea on 23 September at a venue yet to be confirmed, before traveling to face 184th-ranked Eritrea on 27 September.
The incoming coach—increasingly likely to be Ntseki—faces a growing player availability crisis. Key figures Khuliso Mudau, Lyle Foster, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Teboho Mokoena are sidelined through injury. The squad is also mourning the tragic loss of midfielder Jayden Adams, who passed away shortly after returning from the World Cup.
Ntseki, who returned to SAFA as Technical Director in October last year, previously managed Bafana Bafana between 2019 and 2021 before being dismissed following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2021 AFCON—paving the way for Broos’ appointment.
Sources indicate that influential figures within SAFA’s technical committee, including chairperson Jack Maluleka, remain strong proponents of Ntseki’s return to the dugout.
