Mosimane set to succeed Broos as South Africa coach

Pitso Mosimane is set to succeed Belgian Hugo Bross as coach of South Africa, the national football association announced on Saturday. 

A statement said the national executive committee had approved Mosimane for the post, but salary negotiations were not concluded.

"The executive has approved the appointment of coach Pitso, but we need to tie up some loose ends. We will make a formal announcement next week," said association president Danny Jordaan.

It will be a second spell in charge of the national team for the 62-year-old South African, who was fired in 2012 after a disappointing World Cup qualifying result.

South Africa drew 1-1 at home against Ethiopia and an association official travelled 130 kilometres from Johannesburg late the same day to fire Mosimane.

Undeterred, Mosimane became coach of Pretoria club Mamelodi Sundowns and led them to numerous triumphs, most notably winning the 2016 CAF Champions League.

In 2020 he became the first sub-Saharan African to coach Al Ahly, and won back-to-back CAF Champions League titles with the famed Egyptian club.

He later coached clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and, most recently, Esteghlal in Iran.

A forward who made four appearances for South Africa, Mosimane played for three South African clubs, including Sundowns, then had spells in Greece, Belgium and Qatar.

Mosimane inherits a national team that created history at the 2026 World Cup under Broos by reaching the second round for the first time after three failed attempts.

South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to finish runners-up in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, then lost 1-0 to Canada in a last-32 match.

Broos, 74, resigned after the World Cup following five years in charge, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

The first challenge Mosimane faces will be to qualify South Africa for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

South Africa are in Group D with Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea. Kenya are automatic qualifers as joint hosts, but will be play qualifiers to gain competitive match practice.

The other three countries will chase one qualifying place and South Africa host Serhou Guirassy-inspired Guinea and visit minnows Eritrea during September.

South Africa face Kenya twice in November, then travel to Guinea and entertain Eritrea next March.