In a massive boost for South African football development, legendary coach Pitso Mosimane made a high-profile return to SAFA House last week. “Jingles” wasn’t there to discuss a coaching vacancy, but rather to present a groundbreaking Youth Football Manual—the result of five years of intensive research into the future of the game.
Mosimane met with the heavyweights of South African football, including SAFA President Danny Jordaan, CEO Lydia Monyepao, Technical Director Molefi Ntseki, and Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis, to hand over a document he hopes will transform the country’s grassroots structures.
Back to Basics: What is the Youth Football Manual?
Unlike typical tactical guides for professional teams, Mosimane’s manual is a Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) programme. It is specifically designed for the formative years of a footballer’s journey.
- Target Age Group: Players aged 7 to 18 years.
- The Audience: Township coaches, school teachers, and grassroots volunteers—not PSL professionals.
- The Goal: Providing a scientific and age-appropriate structure for training sessions.
“This is directed even to the government because the government is involved as we are also coaching schools,” Mosimane explained. “It will give guidance on how to coach a seven-year-old differently to a nine-year-old… discussing the size of the pitch, the structure of a training session, and the size of the ball.”
Closing the Gap: Reaction from SAFA
The presentation was met with widespread acclaim from the federation’s technical leadership, who view this as a vital step in fixing the “missing link” in South African player development.
Molefi Ntseki (SAFA Technical Director):
“What everybody is trying to do… is to close the gap that we have in youth football. It was very important for him to come in and share his ideas, his research, and his experiences.”
Desiree Ellis (Banyana Banyana Coach):
“I am very excited, especially for women’s football because a lot of girls don’t have that grassroots development. When you start from grassroots level, you’ll get that player that’s technically, physically, and eventually tactically and mentally better.”
Why It Matters: The “Pitso Factor”
Mosimane’s decision to share his research with his home federation before taking it elsewhere underscores his commitment to South African football. After coaching at the highest international levels in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, Mosimane is using his global expertise to ensure the next generation of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana stars are built on a solid foundation.
