Pitso Mosimane has explained his decision to assemble a technical team made up of his trusted lieutenants, including Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoaga, after deciding not to retain the backroom staff of his predecessor, Hugo Broos, which included Helman Mkhalele.
Mosimane, who returned as the Bafana Bafana head coach on a four-year deal 14 years after his first stint, was unveiled at Safa House on Tuesday.
With the team having grown in leaps and bounds over the years – including reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the last edition – Mosimane vowed to build on Broos’ foundation, though with his own staff.
Mosimane announced that Rangoaga and Matlaba will serve as his assistants, while the rest of the backroom staff, including a third assistant, will be named in due course. The decision leaves former assistant and goalkeeper coaches Helman Mkhalele and Grant Johnson without roles.
The omission of Mkhalele is particularly notable given his status as a former Bafana star and his vital role alongside Broos during an illustrious tenure. Broos had even tipped Mkhalele as his eventual successor, provided he obtained the necessary coaching qualifications.
