After months of uncertainty and mounting frustration, SAFA has finally paid outstanding bonuses owed to players who represented the country at the African Nations Championship [CHAN].
Bafana Bafana were owed around R100,000 each in outstanding payments from the 2024 CHAN, which was co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya last August. South Africa, who played their Group C fixtures in Kampala, Uganda, were eliminated in the group stages following a win over Guinea and draws against Algeria, Niger, and hosts Uganda.
Despite achieving the position that triggered the agreed payment, players say the funds had not been forthcoming. This added to the ongoing financial friction between the national team and SAFA.
The payments were processed last week, bringing relief to members of the squad who had been waiting since the tournament ended six months ago. Three players, who spoke on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that the funds have reflected in their accounts.
PLAYERS CONFIRM THAT SAFA HAVE PAID OUTSTANDING BONUSES
“Yes, we have been paid,” one player said. “It took longer than expected, but we are grateful that the matter has now been resolved.”
The delay had become a growing concern within local football circles, with questions raised about administrative processes and communication between the association and players. While SAFA had previously acknowledged the outstanding payments, no clear timeline had been provided, leading to frustration among squad members.
The CHAN tournament, which featured players competing in their domestic leagues, has now been scrapped.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced before the start of the 2025 AFCON that the tournament would no longer take place.
“The first thing I was asked to do as CAF president was to kill the CHAN, and I wasn’t going to do that because some of the member associations that do not have the same resources and skills said, ‘ Please keep it.’ I can tell you now, with this African Nations league, it will take the place of CHAN because there will be no more need for it.”
CAF will now introduce the African Nations League, which Motsepe believes will create a feeling of having an AFCON annually.
RELATED STORY: Maema confirms Bafana players are still owed CHAN bonuses