The South African (SA) Football Association (SAFA) unveiled Mosimane as Hugo Broos’ successor three weeks after the National Executive Committee (NEC) approved the appointment.
Mosimane previously coached SA’s senior national football team from 2010 to 2012 after serving as Assistant Coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira and Julio Santana. “A lot has happened since the last time I was the coach fourteen years ago,” Mosimane said.
“Back then I had not won anything yet. It has been a long journey and I’m happy to say I have won 21 medals in the fourteen years since I coached Bafana Bafana.”
Mosimane described the appointment as coming at the right stage of a coaching career that has included success at club, continental and international levels.
SAFA also unveiled Head of Performance Analysis Musi Matlaba and Strength and Conditioning Coach Kabelo Rangoaga as members of Mosimane’s technical team.
Asked whether former Bafana Bafana Assistant Coach Helman Mkhalele had been considered for the technical team, Mosimane expressed confidence in the appointed staff. “Every coach has his own technical team and they work well together and win trophies,” Mosimane said.
“The people I have in my team I believe will support me.”
Mosimane also declined to respond to media reports quoting Broos as saying the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly Head Coach could take Bafana Bafana backwards by five years. The reports also raised the possibility of agents influencing team selection.
Bafana Bafana recently entered the world’s top 55 and reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
Mosimane acknowledged progress under Broos while maintaining that further improvement remained possible. “You have to accept and acknowledge the good work that has been done, and you have to work from that platform,” Mosimane said.
“If we are all honest as coaches, there is always room for improvement.”
Mosimane said performances at the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup showed a strong foundation, but added that Bafana Bafana could still improve under the new technical team.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
