Former Bafana coach reveals R100k salary and blasts SAFA pay disparity

Former Bafana Bafana head coach Jomo Sono has revealed that he was paid R100,000 a month during one of his stints as caretaker of the national team.

Sono had two notable spells as caretaker coach of Bafana, including in 1998 when he guided the team to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Speaking to Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000, the former Orlando Pirates midfielder reflected on his time in charge and also shared his thoughts on Pitso Mosimane’s appointment as the new Bafana head coach.

Sono revealed that he earned R100,000 per month during his three-month stint as caretaker coach.

“I was a caretaker and received R100,000 a month for three months. It’s not bad because I managed to buy bread,” he joked.

Jomo got R100K per month as Bafana coach

The Pirates legend said his decision to take the job was never about the money, but rather his desire to serve his country.

“Because I love my country, I said I’ll do it. For me, it was not about the money, it was about the country.”

Sono also believes South African coaches have historically been undervalued financially compared to their foreign counterparts.

He pointed to the likes of Shakes Mashaba, Trott Moloto and Clive Barker as examples of local coaches who were not paid anywhere near what some foreign coaches earned.

“Ja, I do agree. It has been the case. I mean, the Brazilian coaches were taking home millions as national team coaches, while Shakes Mashaba, myself, Trott Moloto and Clive Barker were never near those amounts.

“But because of the love for the country, we did it.”

Sono’s comments come amid renewed debate over the salary of newly appointed Bafana coach Mosimane, who reportedly rejected an initial R5 million offer from SAFA before eventually reaching an agreement with the association.