WAFCON 2024: Banyana Banyana Resumes Training Despite Unpaid Bonuses

WAFCON 2024: Banyana Banyana Resumes Training Despite Unpaid Bonuses

Sampson Adedeji

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have returned to training after a two-day protest over unpaid bonuses, but the South African Football Association (SAFA) is yet to fulfil its financial obligations, despite publicly claiming the dispute had been resolved, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The team remains unsettled at their base in Morocco as they prepare to face Ghana in their opening match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations next week.

An insider, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid possible victimisation, revealed that the players have yet to receive any payment.

“Look, the players are not happy at all. SAFA hasn’t paid the money yet not even a cent. They promised to pay part of the bonuses on July 15, and the balance on July 30,” the source disclosed.

According to the insider, the players agreed to resume training, not because an agreement had been reached, but to avoid letting the nation down and to ensure they maintain fitness ahead of the tournament.

“It’s not that they returned to training because SAFA sorted the payments — no! The players wanted the money immediately, but they didn’t want to disappoint the country. They also knew that if they continued boycotting training, they’d risk being unfit for the games,” the source told Sowetan Live.

On Saturday, SAFA claimed the bonus dispute had been resolved, with the association’s vice-president, Linda Zwane, describing it as a “minor issue” during a media briefing after their congress.

Banyana Banyana players, along with the men’s national team, Bafana Bafana, earn R60,000 for every win and R30,000 for a draw.

With Banyana Banyana having won all three matches in question, SAFA owes each player R180,000.

The South African women's team are defending champions at WAFCON, having lifted the title for the first time two years ago.