Safa’s poor message to women’s football




Safa (South African Football Association) are patting themselves on the back, after announcing that Banyana Banyana’s 23 players will earn R20K each for qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup (June 7 - July  7).

But, once you learn that the association will be pocketing a minimum of R11-Million for Banyana’s appearance at the show-piece, one starts to feel that the national women’s team is being robbed.

Last week Safa president Danny Jordaan went on record, saying the players would be receiving R200K each for getting to the world cup.


LISTEN: DANNY JORDAAN PROMISES BANYANA PLAYERS R200K EACH

So what changed in last six days?

Safa acting CEO Russel Paul, who chose his words carefully - I suspect not wanting to say Jordaan got it completely wrong or just carried away - says he doesn’t know how the confusion came about.


LISTEN: SAFA ACTING CEO RUSSEL PAUL NO R200K EACH


Confusion or not, the reality is, while Banyana have earned the association R11-Million, they will receive R460K to share between themselves and it just doesn’t add up.

These numbers are based on Banyana Banyana not progressing beyond the group stages, if they do, the money from Fifa increases, as does the promise made to the players by Safa.

But, no South African team, irrespective of age and gender, is yet to go beyond the group stage at a world cup.

I must also point out that South Africa does not have a professional league for women at the moment.






Paul further argued, that Safa have spent over R20-Million on Banyana Banyana in the last few years, and to focus on the R20K was short sighted.


LISTEN: ACTING CEO RUSSEL PAUL ON R11 MILLION GOING TO SAFA


This decision may save Safa money in the short term, but I suspect it could cost them down the line.

If R20K is what women can expect for playing on the biggest stage in the ‘game’, then the message to the next generation is a poor one.

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