Why Pitso Mosimane must earn his Safa payday through performance, not upfront demands

Pitso Mosimane, the highly-regarded and celebrated coach in African football, stands to earn a substantial annual salary of R10 million from the South African Football Association (Safa) to succeed Hugo Broos. Although this figure is widely considered to be below Broos' annual payout of R16.8 million, it is crucial to recognize that Broos' hefty salary was not granted immediately upon his appointment in May 2021, but rather accrued over time.

Broos' five-year tenure with Safa saw him successfully transform South African football, ensuring that the national team not only qualified for major tournaments but also actively competed in them.

Mosimane, a 62-year-old coach, is returning to head Bafana Bafana, seeking to mend the mistakes of his previous tenure while demonstrating that he is more than just a club coach. Mosimane's loyalty to his backroom staff, including fitness coach Kabelo Rangoaga and analyst Musi Matlaba, is notable, as they share his vision and are not eager to see them leave without fair compensation, such as permanent contracts.

Mosimane's insistence on being deeply involved in the recruitment process, rather than relying on scouts, further showcases his commitment to his team's success.

However, negotiations between Mosimane and Safa have hit a snag due to Mosimane's reluctance to grant Safa image rights, including those of his podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso Mosimane. This stance is understandable, given reports that Mosimane has negotiated for Bafana's sponsors, Adidas and Standard Bank, to compensate him for using his likeness or regalia.

Ultimately, a pragmatic solution could be for Mosimane's camp to accept most of the current offers on the table, with a clause for future renegotiation based on performance and results. While this may not yield immediate maximum financial gain, it offers future security for both the coach and the association.