Mosimane Faces Backroom Overhaul As Bafana Technical Team Takes Shape
New Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane faces an immediate race against time to finalize his full technical staff ahead of this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea.
Following the departure of Hugo Broos in July, the South African Football Association (SAFA) is navigating a widespread backroom reshuffle that leaves several key positions—including assistant coach, team manager, and goalkeeper coach—unconfirmed.
What is happening with the vacant Bafana Bafana team manager position?
SAFA has internally advertised the team manager role following the expiration of Vincent Tseka’s contract at the end of July. Tseka’s two-year tenure proved divisive, culminating in a recent financial audit at SAFA House.
During a National Assembly Portfolio Committee meeting last week, SAFA Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo revealed that officials gave Tseka until the end of August to submit receipts accounting for nearly R1 million in camp expenses.
Who is joining Pitso Mosimane’s technical team?
Mosimane confirmed during his official unveiling on Tuesday that long-time lieutenants Muzi Matlaba (performance analyst) and Kabelo Rangoaga (fitness coach) will join his setup. However, the head coach has yet to appoint an assistant coach after opting not to retain Helman Mkhalele, who served as Broos’ second-in-command.
┌─────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Confirmed Staff │ Vacant / Under Review │ Former Staff Departed │
├─────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Pitso Mosimane (Head Coach) │ • Assistant Coach │ • Hugo Broos (Head Coach) │
│ • Muzi Matlaba (Analyst) │ • Team Manager │ • Helman Mkhalele (Assistant) │
│ • Kabelo Rangoaga (Fitness) │ • Goalkeeper Coach │ • Vincent Tseka (Team Manager) │
│ │ • Team Doctor & Support Staff │ • Sinesipho Mali (Analyst) │
│ │ │ • Kopano Melesi (Fitness) │
└─────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┘
Which backroom roles remain uncertain under SAFA and Mosimane?
Broos’ departure in July triggered a broader backroom exodus. Performance analyst Sinesipho Mali and fitness coach Kopano Melesi both resigned after the World Cup cycle.
Furthermore, goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson is unlikely to return after publicly criticizing SAFA’s operational management during the tournament, breaching internal trust.
SAFA and Mosimane must also decide on the futures of several long-serving support staff members:
- Dr. Tshepo Molobi: Bafana Bafana Team Doctor
- Mduduzi Mbatha: Head of Security
- Tumelo Kujane: Kit Manager (son of former team manager Barney Kujane)
- Rendani Manuku: Masseur (Orlando Pirates)
- Tinashe-Shingai Mukandatsama: Performance Analyst (Mamelodi Sundowns)
“These staff members currently have no clarity on whether SAFA will retain them,” an internal source revealed. “SAFA will assist Mosimane with appointments because he cannot manage the process alone.”
When will SAFA announce the complete technical staff and AFCON venue?
Under Broos, many support roles—including analysts, fitness trainers, and masseurs—operated on part-time contracts. While Mosimane may maintain a similar structure, affected personnel remain in limbo pending official clarification.
SAFA is expected to make formal announcements as early as Friday. The updates will confirm the finalized technical support staff and reveal the host venue for Bafana Bafana’s opening 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea later this month.
