McKenzie calls for Mosimane to match Broos’ salary if Bafana appointment is confirmed

South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has urged the South African Football Association (SAFA) to pay Pitso Mosimane at least the same salary as outgoing Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos if Mosimane’s appointment is finalised.

SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved Mosimane’s appointment on 8 August, but contract negotiations have yet to be completed. The unresolved talks have prevented the association from making an official announcement.

The delay comes as South Africa prepare for an important period, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign due to begin in September.

Bafana Bafana have been placed in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya. They are scheduled to play Guinea and Eritrea in September before facing Kenya twice in November.

Speaking at the South African Sport Awards on Sunday evening, McKenzie said he was frustrated that an agreement with Mosimane had not been concluded. He also questioned why the coach, a three-time CAF Champions League winner, had not yet formally taken charge.

“You know, I don’t understand what’s going on. I’m going to get a report because I have been told that Pitso Mosimane is our coach,” McKenzie said.

The minister then focused on the proposed salary, saying Mosimane should not receive less than his foreign predecessor. He linked the issue to South Africa’s history of racial inequality and differences in pay.

“Also, we must be honest. We come from a country where black people were paid less than white people. Those scars haven’t healed for many people,” he said.

“But we, as black people, cannot do the same thing that has been done to us, where we pay the white man more.”

McKenzie argued that Mosimane’s record in club and international football warranted significant remuneration and said the coach should not be assessed as though he were inexperienced.

“Pitso Mosimane is not a coach of the ABC Motsepe League. Let us be straight about that issue,” he added.

“It’s like we are scared of white people, where we pay them more, but when it comes to black people, it’s a different story.”

Mosimane has won the CAF Champions League three times. He lifted the trophy twice during his time with Al Ahly and also led Mamelodi Sundowns to the club’s first continental title.

McKenzie said those achievements should shape SAFA’s approach to negotiations and called for Mosimane’s starting salary to be benchmarked against the amount previously offered to Broos.

“Pitso Mosimane should be paid. The least they could do is start him with the same salary they started with Hugo Broos,” he said.

“Black people are still hurt that they were underpaid and undervalued; we cannot have that.”

Mosimane was recently pictured alongside SAFA president Danny Jordaan at the launch of his Youth Football Coaching Manual. He is expected to take over the Bafana Bafana coaching role from Broos once the outstanding contractual issues have been resolved.