Pitso Mosimane’s return to Bafana Bafana could be delayed by a dispute over image rights. Negotiations between the coach and the South African Football Association (SAFA) have reportedly reached a deadlock.
According to a report published by Sunday World on Sunday, the two parties have agreed in principle on the financial terms of Mosimane’s contract. However, the issue surrounding his image rights has become a stumbling block.
IMAGE RIGHTS CAUSE PITSO MOSIMANE AND BAFANA BAFANA DEADLOCK
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach is reportedly set to return for a second spell with South Africa. SAFA president Danny Jordaan announced the move two weeks ago. Mosimane previously coached the national team between 2010 and 2012.
The report claims Mosimane has established himself as one of Africa’s most successful coaches. And his image rights have become increasingly valuable.
However, SAFA is reportedly unhappy with the way Mosimane uses his image. They want restrictions placed on some of his commercial activities.
One of the issues is believed to be his Pitso Mosimane Youth Football and his school football project. SAFA fears it could create complications when the association is involved in development projects.
There is also an issue surrounding Mosimane’s podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso, which he launched in June. According to the report, SAFA wants him to either abandon the podcast or operate it within the association’s established media procedures.
CONTRACT STILL NOT SIGNED
The disagreement has reportedly prevented Mosimane from signing his contract despite the two sides reaching agreement on the financial package.
A SAFA insider reportedly told Sunday World that the association wants Mosimane to stop using his identity for certain personal sponsorship and endorsement arrangements.
The situation could therefore delay what had appeared to be a major return for Bafana Bafana.
The report also claims that part of the disagreement involves Mosimane’s association with his youth football programme, with SAFA concerned about potential clashes with its own development projects.
For now, the financial terms appear to have been agreed, but the image-rights dispute remains unresolved. Bafana Bafana supporters will now wait to see whether the two sides can find common ground and finally put pen to paper on Mosimane’s return.