National Teams Manager Vacancy Announced – SAFA Begins Recruitment Process
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially opened applications for the position of National Teams Manager following the retirement of long-serving manager Vincent Tseka, who stepped down after reaching retirement age. The vacancy, advertised on 7 September 2026, comes at a critical juncture for South African football.
SAFA’s statement starts with a clear definition of the role: “The National Teams Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, administration, coordination, and operational management of all national teams.” This sets the tone for the importance of the position, which is central to ensuring smooth operations across the national football structure.
The position is permanent, graded at Level 6, and reports directly to the Technical Director. SAFA explained that the manager will oversee the logistical and operational framework supporting both players and technical staff, ensuring that national teams are adequately prepared for domestic and international competitions.
The timing of the vacancy is significant. Newly appointed Pitso Mosimane, who recently succeeded Hugo Broos as head coach of Bafana Bafana, urgently requires the position to be filled to guarantee seamless preparations for training camps, international fixtures, and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
SAFA emphasised the collaborative nature of the role: “The National Teams Manager will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-performance programs aligned with the association’s goals, policies, and international standards.” This highlights the expectation that the manager will act as a bridge between technical staff, players, and external partners.
The advertisement outlines minimum requirements, including a “Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field with a minimum of five years’ experience in sports administration, team management, or a similar role.” Alternatively, candidates with matric and ten years of relevant experience will also be considered.
Strong organizational and leadership skills are essential. SAFA listed “excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills” as core competencies, alongside proven experience in managing the daily operations of a national or high-performance sports team.
Logistics expertise is another critical requirement. The posting specifies: “Experience in team logistics and travel management, including international travel, accommodation, transportation, itineraries, visas, accreditation, equipment, and competition-related arrangements.”
Beyond logistics, the role demands a focus on player welfare. SAFA noted: “Understanding of athlete welfare, safeguarding, health and safety, and duty-of-care requirements.” This reflects the modern emphasis on holistic player management and safeguarding standards in football.
Financial management is also part of the role. The job description calls for “financial management and budgeting experience” and the ability to manage suppliers, contractors, and service providers while monitoring service-level agreements.
Operational duties extend to technical planning. The manager will be responsible for “formulation and implementation of the strategic planning process for the technical department in collaboration with the Head Coach and Assistant Coaches.” This includes arranging training programs, friendly matches, and international tournaments.
The role also covers logistical arrangements such as “accommodation, playing and training fields, kit management, and media coordination.” Additionally, the manager will oversee databases for players and technical staff, ensuring selections and recognitions are properly documented.
SAFA stressed the importance of sponsor relations: “Coordinate operational meetings between the sponsors and Association,” ensuring contractual obligations are met and team members’ contracts are signed timeously.
Applications must be submitted via email to hr@safa.net by 11 September 2026. SAFA assured applicants: “All applications will be treated in strict confidence. No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.”
With Mosimane’s appointment ushering in a new era for Bafana Bafana, the search for Tseka’s successor is more than a staffing change — it is a strategic move to secure operational excellence and support the technical vision for South Africa’s national teams. The appointment will play a decisive role in shaping preparations for the AFCON qualifiers and beyond.