Mosimane Expands Bafana Bafana Leadership Group, Keeps Williams as Captain

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has expanded the national team’s leadership group, introducing a multi-captain approach ahead of South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mosimane, who recently returned for a second spell as head coach, said he does not want the team to depend on a single leader and may select a “captain of the day” depending on the circumstances.

Ronwen Williams will remain the team’s senior captain, while Themba Zwane and Sipho Chaine have also been identified as leaders. Mosimane said his approach is based on the belief that leadership can come in different forms and isn’t necessarily tied to age or seniority.

He cited the possibility of younger players taking responsibility, saying the system would let them gain experience and learn to captain the national team. Zwane, 37, and Chaine are expected to provide additional leadership alongside Williams, giving Mosimane a broader pool of players to call upon.

The coach also pointed to the practical limitations of relying on one captain, noting that injury or an absence can leave a team without its usual leader. Mosimane’s first Bafana squad since returning to the job contains 30 players for upcoming qualifiers against Guinea on September 26 and Eritrea on September 30, followed by a friendly against Egypt on October 4.

The expanded leadership structure therefore forms part of Mosimane’s early efforts to combine experience, continuity and the development of younger leaders in the national team.