SAFA Nears Decision on New Bafana Bafana Coach After Broos's Exit

The South African Football Association (SAFA) is poised to name the next head coach for the national team, Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana, with an announcement anticipated on August 8. This decision follows the conclusion of Hugo BroosCoach·Hugo Broos's contract on July 31, 2026, marking the end of a highly successful five-year period for the Belgian coach.

Under Broos's guidance, Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana achieved significant milestones, including securing a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of NationsCompetition·Africa Cup of Nations. The team also made history by reaching the Round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup, their best-ever performance in the tournament. In the World Cup, South Africa finished second in Group A, advancing ahead of CzechiaTeam·Czechia and South KoreaTeam·South Korea, before their elimination by CanadaTeam·Canada.

The immediate priority for the incoming coach will be to prepare Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana for the demanding 2027 Africa Cup of NationsCompetition·Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. South Africa has been drawn into Group D alongside GuineaTeam·Guinea, co-hosts KenyaTeam·Kenya, and EritreaTeam·Eritrea. With KenyaTeam·Kenya automatically qualified as a co-host, only one additional team from this group will secure a spot in the finals, intensifying the competition.

Among the more than 80 applications received, four prominent names have emerged in discussions for the coveted position:

Pitso Mosimane, a highly decorated South African coach, is currently a free agent and has formally applied for the role, expressing a clear desire to return to the national team setup. Mosimane's recent coaching career in the 2025/2026 season included a brief stint with Iranian club EsteghlalTeam·Esteghlal from October 2024 to January 2025, which concluded due to financial issues and results. Prior to that, he managed Abha in 2024 and Al WahdaTeam·Al Wahda in 2023. His extensive experience and success in African club football, highlighted by multiple CAF Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League titles, position him as a strong candidate.

Helman Mkhalele, who served as Hugo BroosCoach·Hugo Broos's assistant for five years, is seen as a candidate who could offer continuity. Broos himself has previously endorsed Mkhalele's capabilities and his deep understanding of South African football and the current squad. Mkhalele's integral involvement in the team's tactical planning and player assessments during Broos's successful tenure makes him a familiar and respected figure within the national team.

Herve Renard, the French coach renowned for winning the Africa Cup of NationsCompetition·Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries, was recently appointed head coach of the Ivory CoastTeam·Ivory Coast national team in August 2026. In the 2025/2026 season, Renard had an interim spell with TunisiaTeam·Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup, taking over after their opening 5-1 defeat to SwedenTeam·Sweden. Under his brief leadership, TunisiaTeam·Tunisia lost subsequent matches to JapanTeam·Japan and the NetherlandsTeam·Netherlands, leading to their elimination. He was dismissed by Saudi Arabia in April 2026 despite having qualified them for the 2026 World Cup. His current commitment to Ivory CoastTeam·Ivory Coast makes his candidacy for Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana highly improbable.

Rulani MokwenaCoach·Rulani Mokwena, considered one of South Africa's brightest young coaches, recently took over as the head coach of Egyptian giants Pyramids FC in July 2026. During the 2025/2026 season, Mokwena managed MC Alger from July 2025 to March 2026, and then Al Ittihad SCTeam·Al Ittihad SC from March 2026 to July 2026. Given his recent appointment with Pyramids FC, it is highly unlikely that he would assume the Bafana BafanaTeam·Bafana Bafana coaching role at this juncture.

Jack Maluleke, chairperson of the SAFA Technical Committee, confirmed that a thorough selection process is underway. The chosen coach will face the immediate challenge of assembling a technical team and preparing the squad for the crucial AFCON qualifiers, which are scheduled to commence in September.