SAFA must meet Mosimane’s demands or appoint another coach, says Dos Santos

Former coach Sergio Dos Santos has urged the South African Football Association (SAFA) to pay Pitso Mosimane what he believes he is worth or choose a different candidate for the Bafana Bafana job.

Negotiations between Mosimane and SAFA have reportedly reached a deadlock, with the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly SC head coach expected to take charge of Bafana Bafana after Hugo Broos’s contract with the association ends.

Mosimane has previously managed the national team and remains the leading contender to succeed Broos. However, uncertainty over the terms of a potential contract has cast doubt over whether the appointment will be completed.

Dos Santos believes Mosimane has the experience and knowledge required to return to the post. He also pointed to the coach’s playing career overseas and his previous success at club level in Africa.

“Pitso has coached in South Africa up to the top level; he has played soccer overseas, he knows what it’s about, he has already been charged with Bafana Bafana, the one big mistake was when he assumed a draw was enough to take us to the AFCON,” Dos Santos tells KickOff.

Mosimane previously led Bafana Bafana before moving on to further coaching roles, including highly successful spells with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly SC. Dos Santos said there was little doubt that Mosimane had demonstrated his ability as a coach, but warned that his personality could again become an issue.

“From a coaching perspective, there’s no doubt that he has proven and shown that he can do the job. The only thing that worries me about Pitso is that he’s got an ego. This time he mustn’t allow his ego to be like the way it was when he was in charge of Bafana Bafana.

“Otherwise, Pitso is experienced; he understands the make-up of the South African players very well. With all the experience he has of coaching in Africa, he will actually know how to put the picture together.

The former coach’s comments come as SAFA faces scrutiny over its handling of the negotiations. The association has been criticised by some observers over the proposed contract, while Mosimane’s coaching record and experience have fuelled expectations that he will be appointed.

Dos Santos said SAFA should decide whether it is prepared to meet Mosimane’s financial demands rather than attempt to bring him in on terms he would not accept.

“SAFA, they know how much they offered him; all I can say is, they must give the man what the man is worth. If they don’t think he is worth what he wants, well then don’t appoint him, go and get somebody else.”

Dos Santos’s principal reservation is therefore not Mosimane’s tactical ability or understanding of South African football. Instead, he wants the coach to manage his ego should he return to Bafana Bafana, while SAFA must determine whether his asking price fits within its plans.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, Dos Santos believes the association should end its pursuit and appoint a coach it can afford.