The South African Football Association (Safa) is once again under the spotlight, this time up against the SA Football Players’ Union (Safpu) for failing to host a decent send-off match for Banyana Banyana.
On Sunday, Banyana were scheduled to play their World Cup send-off match against neighboring country Botswana at Tsakane Stadium ahead of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later in July.
However, as first reported by SABC Sport, the Banyana squad boycotted the match over allegations that the association does not want to assure players of bonuses recently announced by Fifa. These should be added to the player’s contracts.
Another concern for the players was the choice of venue chosen to host the match, which is visibly up to no good standard.
Safpu president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe did not mince his words and pinned the entire situation to Safa president Danny Jordaan.
“Banyana Banyana are fighting for their rights, Safa dismissed them at 10.30am but by 12.30pm they were on the field [Tsakane Stadium]. The reason [they left the field] is that someone [Jordaan] does not want to include money in their contracts,” said Gaoshubelwe.
“Safpu will fight for the rights of these players and we have already informed the minister. So, this must go to the nation and reject the team that has been assembled by Danny Jordaan.”
The fringe players assembled in the last minute took to the field under the leadership of coach Desiree Ellis and succumbed to an embarrassing 5-0 walloping in front of a fully packed Tsakane Stadium.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa have since come on board to help resolve the matter, with all parties set to go back to the negotiation table.
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