The vastly experienced coach is different now from the one who left the post in 2012, having led Bafana through a period where they were tough to beat but did not win enough games themselves.
His tenure was undone not by defeats, but by too many draws, and that will be the danger third time around.
He has since enjoyed continental success with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, coached in the Middle East and will understand what it takes to succeed.
His preferred system has always been a possession-based 4-2-3-1, though he does adapt to a 4-3-3 depending on the circumstances.
Crucial to that is the role of the attacking midfielder and his ability to play between the lines of the opposition, as well as the use of width. No wonder then that Mosimane selected seven wingers in his first squad.
His teams have played good football, but he is first and foremost a pragmatic coach and, rather than relying on expansive football, will likely place more emphasis on controlling possession, defensive compactness and managing the game.
That has not always been popular wherever he has coached before, but it is about playing the percentages.
It is also a style that places a big emphasis on technically gifted players. Physicality and winning duels are crucial in modern football, but Mosimane’s teams have to be able to pass the ball and link up the play.
It is not dissimilar to what we saw in the Broos era, perhaps just a little more defensively minded, but with an emphasis on quick transitions and getting up the field at pace.
Broos stuck largely to the 4-3-3, changing only for that opening game at the 2026 World Cup against Mexico, which was a disaster.
Mosimane would be well advised against making too many radical changes too quickly and is unlikely to do so. He is a smart coach who will understand the need for some continuity from the Broos era, especially initially.
He may over time phase in his philosophy and make bigger changes, but his squad selection for the Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt games suggests we will see a similar Bafana to the one that appeared at the World Cup.
So if we were to sum it up, this new Bafana is likely to be organised defensively, technically secure in midfield, quick and athletic in the wide areas and aggressive in transition.
