Pitso Mosimane is officially back in charge of Bafana Bafana, and his second permanent stint as South Africa coach will begin with an immediate test.
Mosimane returns to the national team following the departure of Hugo Broos, with his attention now turning to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
There will be little time for the experienced coach to settle in. South Africa’s opening qualifier is scheduled for 23 September 2026, when Bafana Bafana host Guinea.
The national team have been placed in a group featuring Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya. With Kenya already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, South Africa will need to finish ahead of the other teams to secure qualification.
Mosimane’s Road Back To AFCON
Mosimane’s first six competitive fixtures will take place between September 2026 and March 2027, giving him a clear roadmap for the qualification campaign.
Bafana will open against Guinea at home before travelling to face Eritrea four days later at a neutral venue. The November international window then brings a crucial home-and-away double-header against Kenya.
The final two qualifiers will be played in March 2027, with South Africa travelling to Guinea before hosting Eritrea in the final match.
Bafana Bafana’s First Six Fixtures
- 23 September 2026: South Africa vs Guinea — Home
- 27 September 2026: Eritrea vs South Africa — Away, neutral venue
- 11 November 2026: South Africa vs Kenya — Home
- 15 November 2026: Kenya vs South Africa — Away
- 24 March 2027: Guinea vs South Africa — Away
- 28 March 2027: South Africa vs Eritrea — Home
Mosimane also inherits a Bafana side coming off a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where South Africa reached the knockout stages for the first time.
That achievement has raised expectations around the national team, and Mosimane will now be tasked with maintaining that momentum while securing another major tournament qualification.
With the first match against Guinea only weeks away, the new Bafana coach faces an early challenge to select his squad, establish his tactics and quickly get his players ready.
For Mosimane, the return begins with a demanding six-match schedule — and there will be little room for mistakes.
