The agreed timelines for Banyana Banyana’s outstanding payment from SAFA, which almost threatened the team’s preparations for the upcoming WAFCON, have been revealed.
Currently in Morocco, Banyana Banyana, led by coach Desiree Ellis, begin their title defence against Ghana on 7 July.
SABC Sport reported that the Senior National Women’s Team staged a “stay-in” and boycotted training last Friday. The boycott was due to unpaid bonuses for two recent training camps.
The owed fees pertain to matches against Malawi in April and the three-nation tournament against Botswana and Zambia in May. According to the public broadcaster, Banyana and Bafana Bafana players are paid R60,000 for a win and R30,000 for a draw. Banyana won all four of their preparatory matches.
THE UPDATE ON THE BANYANA BANYANA PAYMENT SAGA
Banyana, through their captain Refiloe Jane and SAFA, reached an agreement regarding outstanding payments owed to the team. SAFA committed to settling a portion of these funds within the next 20 days.
The country’s football governing body reportedly sent a letter to the captain, assuring players that allowances for the April camp, which included a match against Malawi, would be settled by July 15, 2015.
Last Saturday, SAFA released a statement confirming that the team resumed preparations for their title defence on Sunday. SAFA vice president Linda Zwane downplayed the saga, describing it as a “minor issue” during a media address following the association’s congress in Sandton. He said they were “aware of the situation in Morocco” and had “dealt with the matter swiftly”.
“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,” said Zwane.
“So, there is an agreement that has been reached with the team through their captain. 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.”
After locking horns with the Black Queens in a Group C opener, they will clash with Tanzania on July 11 and Mali on July 14.
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