Pitso Mosimane and Safa Deadlocked Over Image Rights as Bafana Contract Stalls
- Pitso Mosimane and Safa have agreed on financial terms but remain at odds over control of the incoming Bafana Bafana coach's image rights
- Safa has also pushed Mosimane to cut ties with his youth football school and ditch his newly launched podcast as conditions of the deal
- Molefi Ntseki's name has emerged as a potential caretaker coach for upcoming matches against Guinea and Eritrea while negotiations continue
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Pitso Mosimane's return to Bafana Bafana remains unsigned weeks after South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan publicly announced his appointment, with a dispute over image rights at the heart of the contract deadlock.
Sunday World reported on 23 August 2026 that while both parties have reached broad agreement on financial terms, the negotiation has stalled over who controls Mosimane's personal brand, including his right to pursue independent sponsorships and endorsements.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Safa wants Mosimane to relinquish control of his image rights as part of the contract, a demand his camp is unwilling to accept at the association's current offer. Having built a reputation as one of Africa's most accomplished football coaches through stints at Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, Mosimane's commercial value is considerable, and his representatives are reportedly holding firm.
Beyond the image rights question, Safa has raised concerns about two other commitments that could conflict with its own programmes. The association is understood to have asked Mosimane to end his involvement with the Pitso Mosimane Youth Football initiative and his football school, citing potential clashes with Safa's development projects.
Podcast and media procedures also under scrutiny
A Safa insider has further revealed that the association wants the coach to cease production of his podcast, Changing the Game with Pitso, which he launched in June 2026. Safa is said to prefer that he communicate exclusively through its official media channels.
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Mosimane previously coached Bafana Bafana from 2010 to 2012 before departing for club football. His return was announced by Jordaan approximately two weeks before the Sunday World report was published.
Caretaker option being considered
With two upcoming Bafana fixtures against Guinea and Eritrea on the horizon, Safa is reportedly considering former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki as a caretaker option should the contract impasse persist beyond those matches.
No official statement from either Mosimane or Safa had been issued addressing the specific points of contention at the time of the report.
Source: Briefly News
