The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana stand to pocket four-hundred-thousand-rand each (R400.000) should they lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
This is according to the South African Football Association (SAFA) after the team met with its President Dr Danny Jordaan and CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe prior to their departure to Morocco for the tournament.
“The players will share nine-point-two-million (R9,2m) should they emerge victorious in the continental showpiece. The remaining eight hundred thousand (R800 000) will be used for other costs related to the team’s travel and stay in Morocco in the coming weeks,” read a SAFA statement.
“This is our commitment and confidence in Banyana Banyana. This R10million is the highest amount ever paid to any national team, men and women. So you have broken the barriers. You will have the highest amount ever paid to any national team in the history of South African football. We want you to continue to break barriers and transform South African football,” Dr Jordaan told SAFA.net.
The issue of bonuses for national teams has always been a constant thorn for the players, especially shortly before tournaments – but with the matter dealt with before the squad’s departure, the team can now focus on the job at hand.
Speaking on behalf the players, Italy-based Banyana Banyana co-captain Refiloe Jane had this to say to SAFA.net:
“You (Jordaan) have always said that when we go to the tournament you want us to focus on just playing – that we should sort out all the issues that we have before the tournament. Bonuses were one of the matters we had and for you to come and honour us [with a send-off at the team hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg] and give this promise is a motivation to the team. I know that besides the motivation of wanting to receive the money, we also want to go out there and represent our nation because we are not only representing ourselves but our families, friends and other players in other leagues.”
“So confident were the players of doing well in Morocco that they did not want to discuss any other outcome except winning the tournament – hence we are saying they walk away with R400k each should they win the competition,” added Advocate Motlanthe.
The squad of 23 players jetted off to Morocco for the tournament on Tuesday evening (21 June 2022), which is scheduled to be held from 2-23 July.
They are in Group C alongside Nigeria, Burundi and Botswana.
South Africa’s first match will be against the Super Falcons of Nigeria (4 July), before tackling Burundi (7 July) and round off the group stages with a clash against neighbours Botswana (10 July).
By Matlhomola Morake
