Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana return delayed by image-rights dispute

Pitso Mosimane’s return as Bafana Bafana coach has been held up by a disagreement over image rights, despite an agreement in principle on the financial terms of his contract. The former South Africa coach has not yet signed the deal.

The dispute centres on how Mosimane may use his name and profile in commercial and football-related activities. The South African Football Association wants limits on some of those activities as part of the final agreement.

One area of concern is Mosimane’s Pitso Mosimane Youth Football initiative and his school football project. SAFA is concerned that these programmes could overlap or create complications with development work involving the association.

His podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso, is another point of disagreement. Mosimane launched the programme in June, but SAFA wants it either discontinued or run within the association’s existing media procedures.

The association is also seeking restrictions on some personal sponsorship and endorsement arrangements linked to Mosimane’s identity. Those conditions have kept the contract from being completed, even though the financial package has been settled in principle.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan announced two weeks ago that Mosimane would return to lead Bafana Bafana for a second spell. Mosimane previously managed the national team from 2010 to 2012 and has also coached Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.

His return will therefore depend on the two sides resolving the image-rights questions and finalising the contract. Until that happens, the proposed appointment remains incomplete.