Mosimane Wants Standard Bank, Adidas As Payment Reward For Commercial Rights
Sportswire has been informed that contractual demands regarding personal commercial rights are stalling negotiations between the South African Football Association (SAFA) and head coach candidate Pitso Mosimane.
Among Mosimane’s demands is compensation tied to association sponsors—such as Standard Bank, who partnered with SAFA earlier this year—and Adidas, whenever he wears official Bafana Bafana apparel.
However, SAFA remains firmly opposed to the request. The association fears that granting commercial rights to a head coach would open a complex precedent, leading players to demand similar provisions upon joining the Bafana Bafana camp.
Demanding personal commercial rights from club or national association sponsors is unprecedented in South African football. The practice is far more common in top-tier European football, as seen in Kylian Mbappé’s high-profile move to Real Madrid, as well as landmark deals previously struck by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Mosimane’s status as South Africa’s most decorated manager—highlighted by three CAF Champions League titles—gives his camp significant leverage, contributing to the protracted negotiations. Despite the disagreement over image rights, sources indicate that overall contract terms are roughly 90 percent agreed upon. It remains unclear whether SAFA will yield to Mosimane’s commercial demands.
The financial details were brought under public scrutiny on Tuesday during a SAFA appearance before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. SAFA Vice-President Linda Zwane confirmed that Mosimane initially received an annual salary offer of R5 million, which he rejected. The SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) subsequently approved an increased offer of R10 million annually. However, this figure remains well below the R16.8 million annual package paid to outgoing coach Hugo Broos.
Broos, who took charge in May 2021 on an initial R8 million annual contract, earned substantial performance-based increases after leading Bafana Bafana to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications—a first for a South African manager. His tenure featured a bronze-medal finish at the 2023 AFCON (South Africa’s first podium finish in 22 years) and reached a historic high point at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he guided the nation into the knockout stages.
Broos subsequently opted to step down following the World Cup, citing the cumulative strain of a 55-year career as a player and manager. While SAFA attempted to retain Broos for another year, the Belgian manager turned down the extension to spend more time with his family.
With Broos departing, SAFA targeted Mosimane as their primary successor. While the two parties initially appeared far apart on financial and structural terms, sources confirm they are closing in on a final agreement.
Uncertainty also surrounds the future of assistant coach Helman Mkhalele. Mkhalele may be retained alongside Mosimane, as both are represented by agent Moira Tlagale of MT Sports.
SAFA is expected to finalize terms and officially announce Mosimane’s appointment in the coming days as negotiations near completion.
