South Africa's women's national team, Banyana Banyana, is embroiled in a dispute with the South African Football Association (Safa), and is at risk of not participating in the World Cup.
Initially scheduled to play a send-off match against Botswana on Sunday, Banyana Banyana made the decision to boycott the game due to concerns over the poor pitch conditions that could lead to injuries before the global tournament. The team also cited contractual disagreements with Safa as a factor.
Safa responded firmly to the boycott, forcing Banyana coach Desiree Ellis to assemble a makeshift team composed of players not included in her World Cup plans. Unfortunately, the alternative squad suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against Botswana.
While the players were promised $30,000 each by FIFA for their World Cup participation, they claimed that SAFA offered no other financial support. Banyana Banyana declined to sign pre-tournament contracts and demanded an additional $21,000 per player from the national association.
Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo said: "The players are being unreasonable in their demands.
The Safa President, Danny Jordaan, has faced criticism in the aftermath of the incident. SAFA's threat to send an entirely new team home from the World Cup, unless the current Banyana players change their stance, has only intensified the controversy.
South African Football Players Union (SAPU) president, Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe has strongly supported the team: "They are fighting for their rights. SAFA doesn’t want to include money in their contracts. We must fight for the rights of these players.”
Banyana star striker Jermaine Seoposenwe discussed the association's aid and organisation in the lead-up to the World Cup, stating that she felt SAFA had not ‘done enough’ to help them.
“The association might feel they’ve done enough, but I have a different opinion. At the end of the day, I am a player and my job is to come here, play and then leave,” she told IOL.
The Banyana team is supposed to depart for the tournament on Wednesday, and will face Argentina, Italy and Olympic champions Sweden in Group D.
