Razeen Gutta
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Department of Sport will award Banyana Banyana R15 million for their 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) triumph.
The South African women’s team won the tournament for the first time ever last month with a 2-1 win over host nation Morocco.
The original prize of R5.8 million was increased this week when Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced that Ramaphosa’s government had asked that R9.2 million be added to the original amount.
“Banyana Banyana pledge of R5.8 million following the team’s recent 2022 Wafcon victory is now increased to R15 million. Well-deserved feat for Africa’s Soccer Champions,” Mthethwa said on Twitter.
Mthethwa said that the amount had already been paid to Desiree Ellis’ side. The payment was in addition to the R400,000 bonus that each player received from the competition and the South African Football Association.
Ellis was delighted with the announcement and said that hard work always pays off. “To my players, I just want to say if you put up performances like this you will always be rewarded. I cannot thank the minister and the president enough, and I’m sure the players do as well,” she said.
