EXCLUSIVE: How Pitso Mosimane can elevate Bafana Bafana beyond Hugo Broos’s legacy, according to Quinton Fortune

After Hugo Broos departed from his position, Pitso Mosimane was swiftly appointed as the new manager of Bafana Bafana. Former South African footballer Quinton Fortune provided some insights on how Mosimane can build upon Broos's legacy during an exclusive interview with IOL. Broos had a successful five-year tenure, leading the national team to their first World Cup qualification since 2002 (excluding the 2010 hosts) and to the knockout stages for the first time in history.

Furthermore, he guided Bafana to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, their best-ever result at the tournament since 2000. However, Fortune noted that Broos may have lacked a deep understanding of the South African football culture, particularly the importance of allowing players to showcase their natural flair.

Fortune believed that while Broos excelled in structuring the team and instilling a sense of defense and attack, there was a need to strike a balance between discipline and freedom. Fortune stated, "When I picture a South African footballer, I think of skill and natural ability first. You have to give them the confidence to express themselves, just like any top player in world football."

The next challenge, according to Fortune, is to achieve a higher level of success, targeting quarter-finals, semi-finals, and beyond in major tournaments. The SAFA National Executive Committee should have appointed Mosimane more quickly, even though they knew as early as December 2025 that Broos was retiring after the 2026 World Cup.