The SA Football Association has addressed the recent boycott by the Banyana Banyana players, which occurred just as they were preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Banyana Banyana touched down in Morocco on Wednesday to kick off their preparations for their WAFCON title defence.
Their Group C journey begins against Ghana on Monday, July 7, followed by matches against Tanzania on Friday, July 11, and Mali on Monday, July 14.
However, their training schedule was disrupted when, according to an SABC Sport report on Saturday, the players refused to train on Friday. They cited unpaid dues from SAFA, specifically demanding outstanding salaries for their April and June training camps.
Yet, by Saturday’s press briefing at the Sandton Convention Centre, a resolution was already in sight. SAFA vice-president Linda Zwane confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the players,
He assured that Banyana were back in training and focused on their WAFCON objectives.
SAFA DEALS WITH THE ISSUE OF UNPAID MATCH FEES FOR BANYANA BANYANA
“We are aware of the situation in Morocco. We have dealt with the matter swiftly after it appeared,” Zwane told journalists.“It was made known to us. It’s a minor issue. The payments of the previous games that they played, particularly the Malawi game, which the association had undertaken to address that particular matter.
“So, there is an agreement that has been reached with the team through their captain [Refiloe Jane]. As far as we are concerned, that particular matter is now buried. The association has made commitments to address that, making sure that players continue with preparations,” he added.
“So we had a discussion with the captain of the team and the HOD. We were then able to agree, and we also sent the necessary commitments.
“Thus far, the reports we are getting are that the team is back at training. They are also preparing for a friendly game that they want to play as part of the preparations.”
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