South Africa-based footballer Frank Gabadinho Mhango has dragged his Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants to court over an image rights dispute and is claiming R828 000 (about K82.8 million).
The Flames forward confirmed taking legal action against the Bloemfontein –based outfit in an interview, but referred The Nation to his agent Mike Makaab on the implications of the move.
“It is true, the matter is in court, but my agent can provide more details.”
On his part, Makaab said: “Gaba is still training with the club. They know they owe him money, they are just delaying the process.”
Meanwhile, the case is expected to be heard by the Johannesburg High Court.
South African tabloid the Sunday World reported that the dispute is related to the unauthorised use of his image in club promotions.
He alleges that the club used his image and likeness to advertise matches on social media without compensation.
According to the tabloid, this includes posts on December 5 2023, promoting a fixture against Orlando Pirates, a video interview shared on September 13 2024, and a team sheet posted on March 14 2025, where he was listed in the starting line-up.
It says the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) National Dispute Resolution Committee declined to hear the matter in February, citing a lack of jurisdiction, prompting Mhango to pursue the case through the courts.
In court papers, the former Orlando Pirates forward states he is entitled to benefit from the commercial use of his image and signature rights, including his name, photo, voice, and nickname.
The report reads: “These rights were initially held by his agency, Prosport, led by Michael Makaab, and were sold to Swallows FC in a contract valued at R828 000 when Mhango joined the club.
“Prosport officially ceded the rights to Mhango in August 2023. Mhango argues that Gallants, having acquired Swallows as a going concern, inherited all contractual obligations – yet have failed to honour payments for continued use of his image.”
It further says letters of demand for R428 000 and R400 000 were sent in January and September 2024, respectively, but the amounts remain unpaid and the veretan striker now seeks a court order to compel payment.
Mhango’s lawyers claim that despite exploiting his image rights for its benefit, Gallants have refused to pay him.
“Notwithstanding the aforesaid use of my image and signature rights by the club, it has breached the image and signature rights contract by not making payment of any of the instalment amounts outlined in the contract,” reads part of the documents as reported by Sunday World.
The report further says the case could set a precedent for how image rights are respected and enforced in South African football.
The former FCB Nyasa Bullets, Blomfontein Celtic, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, Amazulu FC and Moroka Swallows star’s contract is expected to expire in June.
He is currently Gallants’ leading scorer with five goals, nine short of PSL leading scorer Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
His estimated market value is 450 000 euro (about K922.5 million).
