The South African Football Association (SAFA) has assured the nation that all is well in Banyana Banyana’s camp ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
In the past few days, reports emerged of Banyana Banyana refusing to train at their base in Morocco due to monies owed to the team.
“The African champions Banyana Banyana have resumed their preparations for the defence of their continental title after the impasse over monies owed to them was resolved on Saturday,” admitted SAFA.
“Coach Dr. Desiree Ellis and her charges returned to the pitch on Saturday afternoon and played a training match against Benin ahead of the start of the WAFCON, which is scheduled to be staged in Morocco from 5-26 July 2025.”
“SAFA Vice-President Linda Zwane and CEO Lydia Monyepao momentarily excused themselves from the SAFA Congress in Sandton and contacted the Banyana Banyana camp in Morocco earlier in the day. They spoke to the team’s HOD, Thabile Msomi, and captain, Refiloe Jane, in a bid to sort out the matter.”
Vice-President Zwane said the two parties found each other and an agreement was reached, paving the way for the South African senior women’s national team to play the training match.
“The association has made a commitment towards it and making sure that the players continue with their preparations, as we want them to perform very well in the tournament,” Zwane said.
“We had a discussion with the captain of the team and the HOD, and we were able to then agree and send the necessary commitment. I think thus far the reports we are getting are that the team is back at training and they played a friendly game they wanted to play as part of the preparation.”
SAFA CEO Monyepao explained that the matter centers on the friendly matches played in the last few months—the match against Malawi and the Three Nations Series games against Zambia and Botswana—and not on the WAFCON.
“The disagreement arose in terms of the payment dates. In terms of the bonuses, however, we have since addressed that matter. We know that we have a commitment to the players, and in terms of friendly matches, we give 30 days,” she said.
The SAFA CEO further added that shrinking sponsorships and operating in a tough trading environment have had an impact on sporting organizations, and the association has not been immune.
“I think for us, we need to accept, you know, in terms of where we are as a Federation financially. We do not have the resources that we used to have in terms of taking care of both senior national teams because the sponsorship for Bafana Bafana has been significantly reduced, whereas at Banyana Banyana, we’ve beefed up their bonuses.
“The bonuses they get now are four times what they used to get. However, although we increased the bonuses four times, we have not managed to get more funding for the team. It means that we have to dig deep into our pockets as a federation in order to be able to meet all these obligations.”
