SAFA, Banyana Banyana and SAFPU are set to go back to the negotiation table after a chaotic day at Tsakane Stadium on Sunday.
This comes after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi mediated a meeting with the three parties after Banyana’s makeshift squad lost 5-0 to neighbours Botswana this afternoon.
This was a day that could be deemed as a sad day in South African football following the drama between the three parties.
THE BANYANA SQUAD FIFA WORLD CUP REMAIN UNCHANGED
As the parties go back to the negotiation table, the Banyana FIFA Women’s World Cup squad is expected to remain unchanged.
This morning, SAFA reportedly held an urgent NEC meeting to discuss the ongoing matter. This was after the Banyana World Cup squad decided to boycott the send-off match against Botswana. The issues at the centre of it were bonuses and Tsakane Stadium’s pitch condition.
In a turn of events, SAFA assembled a B-team to replace the selected World Cup-bound squad. This saw the game delayed by an hour.
THE SA WORLD CUP SQUAD ARRIVED LATE AT TSAKANE STADIUM
When we thought we had seen it all, the SA World Cup squad arrived at Tsakane Stadium 38 minutes after the game had started.
To add to that, the players were initially barred from going to watch the game. But after a few minutes, they were eventually allowed to enter and enjoy the game.
The players want part of the R30 million SAFA will get from their 2023 World Cup participation.
This will not include the R570 000 that each player will get for taking part at the World Cup.
One can say that the Banyana and Botswana encounter was a game of mixed emotions. Others felt like the SAFA’s B-team betrayed their seniors as they are fighting for better treatment and better conditions.
Meanwhile, others feel like these ladies are just being used by SAFA to push their shenanigans.
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