Pitso Mosimane’s beef with Sundowns explained: From bitter legal battle to possible reunion
Could former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane be on the verge of returning to the club he once led to glory?
Image: AFP
Reports emerged earlier this week that Mamelodi Sundowns and their former head coach Pitso Mosimane were engaged in talks aimed at repairing their frosty relationship.
These reports have led to further speculation that there could be a reunion between Sundowns and Mosimane, with current head coach Miguel Cardoso increasingly under pressure as the club trail Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership.
Yet beneath the speculation about a possible reunion lies a dispute that has kept the two parties at odds for years – rooted in a bitter and ongoing legal battle.
That tension is underpinned by a bitter legal battle that has defined Mosimane’s relationship with his former club for the past two years, casting a long shadow over any talk of a potential reunion.
It all began in 2020 when Mosimane signed a new contract with the club. His representative agency, MT Sports, headed by his wife Moira Tlhagale, was paid R8,623,260.00 for facilitating the deal.
However, Mosimane resigned just four months into his new contract and moved to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. As a result, Sundowns wanted Mosimane to pay back the money, and felt they were left with no choice but to take legal action.
Sundowns took Mosimane and MT Sports to court over a breach of contract and the repayment of agents’ commission fees. The club claimed Mosimane and MT Sports must repay the commission, arguing he walked away before fulfilling his contract.
Four months ago, the South Gauteng High Court ruled in the club’s favour, ordering Mosimane and MT Sports to repay R7.9 million plus 7% annual interest, backdated to May 10, 2021.
MT Sports immediately filed an appeal through their lawyers, which is due to be heard on Wednesday next week.
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, its timing has added further intrigue to the growing speculation around Mosimane’s future. With Sundowns under pressure on the pitch and eager to restore stability, there appears to be a willingness on both sides to set past disputes aside in the interests of the club’s long-term ambitions.
According to reports, discussions between Sundowns and their former coach have been constructive, raising the possibility that bygones could indeed be bygones. While the legal process continues in the background, the positive tone of the talks suggests there is genuine intent to repair relations – and perhaps even reopen the door to a partnership that once delivered unprecedented success.
IOL Sport