Pitso Mosimane ‘Unfazed’ by Poyet Speculation

Pitso Mosimane’s camp is reportedly not concerned by fresh speculation linking Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet with the Bafana Bafana job, with the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach already focused on preparing for his return to the national team.

The Bafana coaching saga took another twist this week after reports from France claimed that the South African Football Association (SAFA) had made an approach for Poyet.

The development raised eyebrows given that SAFA’s National Executive Committee has already approved Mosimane’s appointment, while reports indicate that the two parties have reached common ground on the coach’s contract.

According to reports, the latest discussions have centred on an improved package worth around R10 million per year, after Mosimane’s camp rejected an initial offer believed to be in the region of R5 million.

Mosimane camp ‘not distracted’

The Poyet reports have apparently done little to change the situation from Mosimane’s side.

Rather than viewing the latest speculation as a threat to his expected return, sources close to the coach believe the situation is being treated as part of the noise surrounding a high-profile national team appointment.

Poyet’s name emerged after French publication Onze Mondial reported interest from South Africa, although the Uruguayan is also understood to have been in discussions with Algeria. South African reports have meanwhile continued to indicate that Mosimane remains SAFA’s preferred choice.

The key point for Mosimane’s camp is that SAFA’s NEC has already approved his appointment, with the remaining work largely centred around finalising the contractual details.

Technical team also part of the deal

One of the important issues in the negotiations has been Mosimane’s technical team.

The coach has reportedly pushed for his trusted staff members to form part of his overall package, rather than SAFA negotiating separate arrangements for each member.

That team is expected to include Musi Matlaba, Kabelo Rangoaga and Kyle Solomon, allowing Mosimane to return to the national setup with a technical structure he knows and trusts.

For a coach taking charge of Bafana at an important stage of the international calendar, continuity within the technical team could prove just as important as the headline salary.

Already looking towards AFCON qualifiers

While speculation continues around the identity of Bafana’s next coach, Mosimane is reportedly already looking beyond the negotiations.

The former Bafana and Sundowns boss has begun working on his preliminary thoughts around the national team squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with South Africa scheduled to face Guinea and Eritrea in September.

That suggests the Mosimane camp’s position is clear: the focus has shifted from whether he will return to Bafana to how he intends to rebuild and prepare the team.

Mosimane’s return would represent his second spell in charge of Bafana, having previously led the national team between 2010 and 2012.

For now, the Poyet reports may have added another chapter to an already dramatic coaching saga, but they have not changed the bigger picture emerging from the negotiations.

Mosimane remains the man SAFA has approved, and his camp appears to be preparing for the job rather than worrying about the speculation.