SAFA Accused of Backtracking on Financial Promises Made to Banyana Banyana

• Banyana Banyana beat Costa Rica in their final warm-up fixture before the FIFA Women's World Cup
• The South African Football Players’ Union claimed that SAFA are not honouring their previous agreement
• The Motsepe Foundation recently pledged monies towards Banyana for participating in the tournament

All is still not well between Banyana Banyana and the South African Football Association.

The South African national team are due to compete in their opening World Cup fixture in just over a week, but details of more drama with SAFA have since made the news.

As reported by SABC Sport, the South African Football Players’ Union (SAFPU) have claimed that SAFA’s offer is short of what was agreed upon.

The Motsepe Foundation stepped in recently to end the public row between the association and the national team and pledged bonuses toward the side.

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SAFPU president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe confirmed now that coach Desiree Ellis and her backroom staff are expected to sign a new proposal from SAFA that falls well short of what was agreed upon. Part of the reported contract is that they would receive around R900 daily while on international duty.

SAFA expects the contract to be signed before the tournament starts on July 20.

"When we argued for the staff to get incentives, we were told there’s no money. Eventually, we agreed they would get R115 000 each. At the press briefing, we were told the money was raised for players, and what was left was to raise the balance.

"I can tell you that we have not signed any of the annexures we had agreed in principle. There’s just been a back and forth, and the players are not willing to go ahead in signing as a show of solidarity with the support staff," he explained.

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Despite the drama behind the scenes, Banyana are still performing on the pitch. As noted by News24, the side picked up a 2-0 over Costa Rica in their final warm-up game before the tournament starts.

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Sports Brief also reported on the standoff between Banyana and SAFA, which saw a makeshift team face Botswana after the main squad threatened to boycott the fixture.

With the makeshift side - including a teenager - down four goals by the half-time whistle, Banyana were initially denied access to the venue after arriving at the ground.

Banyana sent home by SAFA

South African football has been rocked by more drama, Sports Brief also reported. SAFA sent the women’s national team home after they refused to play their send-off match ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Banyana players threatened to boycott the game, reportedly because of the condition of the pitch at the stadium and fears over players being injured, wanting a more suitable venue for the final fixture.