Dylan Bettencourt
South Africans have learned with dismay that the South African Football Association (Safa) contributed no more than R35,000 for each player to the bonuses received by Banyana Banyana.
Initially Safa created an impression that it would pay the girls as much R9.2 million in bonuses if they brought the trophy home.
But now it turns out Safa will only pay R800,000.
The rest of the R8.4 million is the prize money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Banyana Banyana fans who believed Safa President Danny Jordaan was paying the girls from Safa’s coffers.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa saved the day when he surprised Banyana coach Desiree Ellis with a cheque of R5.8 million; a reward for the teams, technical team and support staff.
Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe claimed that the payment structure was agreed upon with the players before the tournament began.
“We agreed with the players that they’ll get R400,000 and there were a number of sources as to where the money was going to come from,” Motlanthe said.
“The negotiations were in good faith before the increase, but the bonus was part of that already. The splitting of the prize money is part of the bonuses.”
The CEO added that the players will not be made to wait for their bonuses.
“As promised, the commitment to pay the players what is due to them will be done immediately,” Motlanthe said.
“We agreed with players on timelines with regards to that before they left for the tournament.”
Banyana defeated Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) hosts Morocco 2-1 on Saturday night to claim their first ever African title in their sixth final appearance.
Safa’s bonus money claims have raised a backlash on social media with many feeling Banyana are being treated badly given their historic achievement.
Image source: @CAFWomen
