Pitso Mosimane has opened up about the Bafana job. Photo: Archives

Pitso Mosimane is without a job since leaving Al Ahly. Photo: Archives

Safa, Pitso Mosimane set to hold press conference

The South African Football Association look set to make an announcement involving Pitso Mosimane on Thursday.

Pitso Mosimane has opened up about the Bafana job. Photo: Archives

Pitso Mosimane is without a job since leaving Al Ahly. Photo: Archives

Recently, Pitso Mosimane clearly indicated that he has no intention to rush into another coaching job after leaving Al Ahly, while he has been keeping busy with a newly-launched Coaching Masterclass Series that has taken him to various clubs.

Although the veteran coach had just penned a new two-year deal with the Egyptian giants, he dramatically requested clearance to leave Al Ahly after meetings earlier this year.

It will be interesting to see what the announcement with SAFA could entail, and it’s sure to be eagerly-anticipated after the South African Football Association confirmed they will hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon, with Mosimane in attendance.

There are few other details, but the media event is set to be addressed by SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

Mosimane enjoyed a famed coaching career with Mamelodi Sundowns, and was involved as national caretaker coach for seven games in 2007. He went on to join Al Ahly in a high-profile move and won several title in Egypt before prematurely opting out of his new contract, but despite this impact overseas, it’s clear that Mosimane has never been lined up for a return to the Bafana top job.

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After the recent CAF Champions League final, both AFCON winner Aliou Cisse and Mosimane completed their CAF Pro License in Morocco, and the Senegal coach apparently expressed surprise that his South African counterpart is not in charge of the national side.

“I’ve just done my pro licence done by the Morocco Federation via an invite, can you believe that? It’s the first one that was done in Africa and hopefully my country can follow,” Mosimane said on Radio 702’s TheCMShow, as quoted by iDiski Times.

“The coaches there, they ask me, even Aliou Cisse, he asked me ‘why you don’t coach South Africa?’ They look at my country as it is, for them they look up to South Africa, we’re top in the continent and all that.

“I said ‘I was there and they sacked me, they said they know more than me. The guys were saying ‘are you serious? If you are leading the continent as one of the top coaches here in the continent and South Africa are not doing well, who is coaching them?’

“I then said it’s a different situation. To be honest with you, I feel appreciated more outside than in my country to be honest.”

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It remains to be seen where Pitso could coach next

Interestingly, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has recently provided serious backing for Mosimane to coach Bafana Bafana again.

“I wish Pitso Mosimane could coach Bafana Bafana. He is my favourite coach and I love him. He will always have a special place in my heart and I will even get the Motsepe Foundation to subsidise his salary. I think he is quality, and quality should not come cheap,” said Motsepe.

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In the latest edition of iDiski Times, it’s reported that current CAF Champions League holders, Wydad Casablanca, could show interest in securing the services of Pitso Mosimane, although it’s not clear if formal contact has been made yet.

Interestingly, Wydad Athletic Club head coach Walid Regragui has now resigned after just one season despite leading the Moroccan giants to the double last season.

Mosimane is reportedly also wanted in Iraq, with reports from that part of the world suggesting he is one of three coaches shortlisted for the top national job.

Portuguese mentor Antonio Conceicao, who coached the Cameroon national team, and ex-France national team Bernard Cosoni are the other names linked with the Iraq position. 

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