Victory at last! Mosimane smiles all the way to bank as Fifa orders Al Ahli to pay celebrated tactician millions

Former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is set to bag millions after Fifa found former club Al Ahli guilty of breach of contract.

Al Ahli worked with Mosimane in the 2022/23 season.

The tactician helped the team get promoted.

The club breached contract

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WHAT HAPPENED?

Mosimane, as per contractual agreement, helped Al Ahli get promoted to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season after winning the second-tier title.

However, things didn’t go as planned for the parties involved and Mosimane left, with the club failing to clear them as expected, and reported the matter to Fifa.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The South African was guaranteed a monthly salary of R2.7 million for the 2022/23 season, plus a bonus of R2.8 million if he could manage to help the team get promoted to Saudi’s top tier.

Mosimane was also promised R1.4 million if he won the Saudi First Division title, a salary increment to R2.3 a month by virtue of promotion until the end of May 2024.

The 59-year-old’s contract included four return business class flight tickets between Jeddah and Johannesburg.

WHAT FIFA RULED

“[Al Ahli] is liable to remit the amount of [R159,000] net in the concept of late payment interest to [Mosimane],” read part of the ruling by Fifa.

“The Respondent should be held liable to remit [promised bonus of R2.8 million and R1.4 million] as agreed.

“[Al Ahli] is liable to pay [Mosimane] the amounts [R7,095,078] which were outstanding under the contract at the moment of the termination.

“In addition, taking into consideration [Mosimane’s] request as well as the constant practice of the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Single Judge decided to award [Mosimane] interest at the rate of 5% p.a. on the amount of USD 355,500 [R6,870,641] net as from 1 June 2023 until the date of effective payment.”

Pitso Mosimane, Abha Club, February 2024Abha Club

WHAT NEXT FOR MOSIMANE?

Mosimane is currently with Abha Club and has been asked to help the team avoid relegation from the Saudi Pro League.

If he achieves the target, chances of remaining in the Middle East beyond this season will be high as promised by the club’s management.