Speaking after his official unveiling by the South African Football Association on Tuesday, Mosimane pointed to the extensive trophy haul he has accumulated since his first stint ended in 2012.
“Between now and 14 years back, a lot has happened, back then I didn’t even win an MTN8 or Nedbank Cup, nevermind a league or... let me not boast of what we’ve achieved,” Mosimane said.
“There’s 21 medals between now and 14 years back, loaded with about three FIFA Club World Cups and one national team World Cup - I think the system is loaded enough now.”
The highly decorated coach returns to the national team role more than 14 years after his previous tenure, which ended following South Africa’s failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. In the intervening period, Mosimane has established himself as one of Africa’s most successful managers.
He guided Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title in 2016 and later enjoyed a glittering spell at Egyptian giants Al Ahly, where he won two further Champions League crowns and claimed three successive bronze medals at the FIFA Club World Cup. Additional successes in the Middle East further strengthened his already impressive CV.
Mosimane succeeds Hugo Broos, whose five-year tenure culminated in South Africa reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. The Belgian’s departure after the tournament created the vacancy that Mosimane has now filled on a five-year contract.
The new coach faces an immediate challenge. His first assignment will be the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Bafana drawn in a group alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya. Qualifying matches are scheduled to begin later this month.
Mosimane’s return has been widely welcomed by supporters who believe his vast experience and winning mentality can help build on the foundations laid under Broos. The coach himself appears confident that the knowledge and silverware accumulated over the past decade and a half have prepared him thoroughly for the task ahead.
With a loaded system of experience and achievement behind him, Mosimane now turns his attention to the national team once more, determined to write a successful new chapter in his Bafana Bafana story.