McKenzie backs Pitso for Bafana job before Broos decides his future

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Gayton McKenzie says Safa should choose Pitso Mosimane as Bafana’s next coach if Hugo Broos leaves the job.

• The sports minister praised Broos for rebuilding Bafana, but said Pitso is the only man to take the team forward.

Gayton McKenzie wants Pitso Mosimane to take over Bafana Bafana before Hugo Broos has even made his final call.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture was speaking at OR Tambo International Airport as Bafana arrived home after their 2026 Fifa World Cup run.

Broos has not confirmed whether he will stay with Bafana.

But McKenzie said Safa should look no further than Pitso if Broos leaves.

“Safa are saying they are shortlisting coaches but only one coach must lead Bafana, Pitso Mosimane,” said McKenzie.

He said Bafana need a coach who understands the players.

“We need a person who understands our boys. What more do you want Pitso to do? I put my wage as Minister of Sport behind Pitso,” he said.

McKenzie said he has already spoken to Safa president Danny Jordaan and Mosimane about the job.

“I had conversations with Danny Jordaan, and with Pitso,” he said. “Pitso got many other offers and I said, don’t take them. We need Pitso now.”

McKenzie said Bafana should not bring in a coach who cannot connect with the players.

“You want to bring someone in who speaks French and the players don’t know French? We can’t have that,” he said.

McKenzie also praised Broos for changing Bafana.

“What coach Hugo has done for us, no one has ever done for us,” he said.

“Before coach Hugo came Bafana were a joke. No one wore the Bafana shirt. Coach Hugo helped turn things around.”

Broos led South Africa into the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time.

Bafana were knocked out by Canada in the last 32 on Sunday.

Fans came out in big numbers at OR Tambo on Thursday morning to welcome the team home.

McKenzie thanked the supporters and said some had arrived before dawn, while others travelled from other provinces.

He said Bafana can now hold their heads high after reaching the same stage as Germany and Japan.

But the big question now is what Broos does next. If he goes, McKenzie has already made his choice clear.

Pictured above: Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie says Pitso Mosimane should be the next Bafana Bafana coach if Hugo Broos leaves.

Image source: File