Pitso Mosimane Backed for Bigger Role as Mamelodi Sundowns Links Grow

Former Moroka Swallows coach Brandon Truter has raised concerns about Hugo Broos's capacity to lead Bafana Bafana into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, suggesting that local coaches Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena would be better suited for the role.

Truter's comments follow South Africa's exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 after a 2-1 loss to Cameroon.

He questioned whether the demands of a World Cup campaign in June might be too strenuous for the Belgian manager, who will be 74 years old by the time the tournament begins. Truter believes the team needs a more energetic presence on the sidelines to inspire the players.

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"How old is he now? We still have Pitso (Mosimane) and Rulani (Mokwena) out there who can really lead this team," Truter told the Siya crew. "Pitso has grown so much, he has shown his mettle and has travelled the continent, the world."

"And Rulani keeps on showing that he is one of the best," he continued. "At the World Cup (with Broos), I think we will be found wanting; at the AFCON, we were exposed."

Truter urged a serious internal review of the team's leadership, questioning their chances of advancing past the group stage at the global showpiece.

"Because of the AFCON in the last 16, now you're asking yourself, ‘Are we getting out of the World Cup group?’ The World Cup is a bigger stage," he stated.

While acknowledging Hugo Broos's positive relationship with the squad, Truter criticised his lack of animation on the touchline. "Hugo Broos is a good father figure, and he manages the group well. You can see the players absolutely love him, but being on the touchline, supporting... sometimes the energy of the coach goes towards the players."

"Where is the drive coming from the bench? I think Hugo only stood up when we scored or for a VAR decision. That's the only time I saw him on his feet; there's no vocal point coming from the bench. Helman (Mkhalele, assistant) is also a nice guy, very humble," Truter observed.

The former Sekhukhune United coach concluded by advocating for a local coach to be given the opportunity, insisting that Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena would make the best team.

"I would like to see one of our own given a chance going to the World Cup because as local coaches we're being downplayed; we're not given the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

“Look at our big three (Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Kaizer Chiefs) at the moment. Look at the last decade, eight out of ten times, local coaches won the league."