Hugo on the rise: The 11 coaches with the most number of Bafana Bafana matches
Here we examine the 11 coaches who have managed Bafana Bafana in the greatest number of games, including details of their achievements.
11. Jomo Sono
Tenure(s): Jan 98 to Feb 98, March 02 to July 02, May 03
Record: P18 W7 D5 L6 GF23 GA21
Win percentage: 39%
Sono frequently stepped in as an interim manager after previous coaches were dismissed, although his influence on those decisions remains a matter of debate.
Under his guidance, Bafana secured second position at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea after Queiroz departure.
10. Carlos Queiroz
Tenure: Oct 00 to Mar 02
Record: P20 W9 D7 L4 GF20 GA15
Win percentage: 45%
After leaving Bafana following the 2002 Nations Cup, Queiroz later managed Real Madrid and Portugal again, plus enjoyed two effective stints as assistant at Manchester United.
Bafana exited the tournament in the quarterfinals against hosts Mali, yet they had already secured qualification for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
His debut match ended in a 0-0 stalemate versus France, and apart from the Mali defeat, two further losses occurred away against Italy (0-1) and Sweden (0-3).
9. Pitso Mosimane
Tenure(s): May 06 to Nov 06, Aug 10 to Jun 12
Record: P23 W9 D10 L4 GF17 GA8
Win percentage: 39%
Perhaps the national team role arrived prematurely in Mosimanes coaching journey. He served a brief six-match interim period before Parreiras arrival in 2006, then assumed control after the Brazilian following the 2010 World Cup.
His success at SuperSport United was notable, but he might have lacked the experience needed for international demands, culminating in a failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations due to an organisational error.
Later, he emerged as South Africas top club manager and could potentially return to address his unresolved goals with Bafana.
8. Joel Santana
Tenure: Jun 08 to Oct 09
Record: P27 W10 D3 L14 GF25 GA30
Win percentage: 37%
This appointment proved disastrous, intended as a temporary measure for Parreira during his trip back to Brazil for family reasons, with Santana suggested by the Brazilian to maintain momentum towards 2010.
However, the team declined markedly, delivering numerous uninspired displays lacking focus and effort, rendering matches difficult to observe.
7. Gordan Igesund
Tenure(s): Jul 12 to Aug 14
Record: P32 W14 D9 L9 GF42 GA30
Win percentage: 44%
Igesund oversaw the team for two years until his deal expired, after missing out on success at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on home ground, the 2014 African Nations Championship, and enduring a 5-0 defeat to Brazil.
Nevertheless, he orchestrated a memorable 1-0 friendly victory over world champions Spain, marking the peak of his tenure.
6. Trott Moloto
Tenure(s): Oct 98 to Sep 00, Apr 02
Record: P34 W17 D9 L8 GF43 GA31
Win percentage: 50%
Following Phillip Troussiers removal after the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Moloto assumed the role and took over a strong squad.
He guided them to third place at the 2000 Nations Cup, a solid outcome, though results against teams like USA (0-4), Mexico (2-4), and Ireland (1-2) at the Nike Cup contributed to his exit in 2000.
Still, he positioned the team well for 2002 World Cup qualification.
5. Carlos Alberto Parreira
Tenure(s): Jan 07 to Mar 08, Oct 09 to Jul 10
Record: P36 W16 D13 L7 GF49 GA25
Win percentage: 44%
The Brazilian Parreira lacked revolutionary tactics yet devised a strategy for Bafana, prioritising exceptional fitness for the 2010 World Cup, which they demonstrated.
They earned four points across three group games but fell short of advancing, while also bowing out early at the 2008 Nations Cup during his leadership.
4. Clive Barker
Tenure: Mar 94 to Dec 97
Record: P43 W22 D9 L12 GF57 GA38
Win percentage: 51%
Barker inherited a side facing challenges upon re-entering global football and transformed them into continental winners in a short period.
He also secured draws against elite sides Argentina and Germany, and nearly triumphed over powerful Brazil.
Dismissed towards the end of 1997, he had qualified Bafana for the 1998 Nations Cup and World Cup but departed before competing in those events.
=2. Stuart Baxter
Tenure(s): May 04 to Nov 05, May 17 to July 19
Record: P52 W23 D13 L16 GF78 GA58
Win percentage: 44%
Baxter managed two periods, both falling short of his expectations. He could not secure 2006 World Cup qualification, stumbling in a challenging group against a rising Ghana.
He departed soon after but returned in 2017 post-Mashabas dismissal, qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where they upset hosts Egypt in the last 16 before a quarterfinal loss to Nigeria.
=2. Hugo Broos
Tenure(s): May 21 to present
Record: P52 W26 D19 L7 GF78 GA41
Win percentage: 48%
Broos now holds the record as Bafanas longest-tenured coach by years, spanning five, an outcome few anticipated upon his appointment.
He just missed the third round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers but achieved consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearances, including a bronze at the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast.
The recent Cup of Nations proved underwhelming, yet he earned World Cup qualification, the first since 2002 excluding the 2010 hosting.
He has mentioned retiring post-World Cup but recently softened that stance, aiming to top the matches list with at least five assured and possibly extra friendlies, while targeting a deep knockout run.
1. Shakes Mashaba
Tenure(s): Oct 92, April 01, Aug 02 to Nov 03, Sep 14 to Nov 16
Record: P58 W32 D21 L5 GF94 GA40
Win percentage: 55%
Across four stints (two interim), Mashaba set multiple national team benchmarks, such as most matches, victories, goals for, and goals against.
He suffered only five defeats in 58 outings, excluding shoot-outs, though excessive draws may have contributed to his challenges.
Notably, he never faced major non-African opponents, unlike others listed, and his stats benefit from easier encounters.