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CAF President Motsepe Steps in to Resolve Banyana and SAFA Dispute

Published

11 months ago

July 5, 2023

Patrice Motsepe intervened in Banyana Banya - Safa pay dispute

Africa football boss Patrice Motsepe has intervened to resolve a dispute between the South African women’s 2023 World Cup squad and the national association. A source told news24 Sport this development on Tuesday. The 61-year-old Confederation of African Football (CAF) president hails from South Africa. He will reveal his mediation details in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

“This dispute involving the women’s team was a major embarrassment not just for South Africa, but all of Africa,” said a CAF source, who spoke anonymously. “Something had to be done, and quickly, with some South African players scheduled to leave for New Zealand tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Insufficient business-class seats mean the squad, coaches, and officials will travel to New Zealand in two groups on Wednesday and Thursday. Australia and New Zealand co-host the World Cup, and African champions South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, and Zambia represent the continent.

Motsepe helped resolve issues surrounding contracts, which squad members said did not include the $30,000 (R565 000) appearance fee promised by FIFA to each of the 23 players. This exclusion resulted in the team not playing a send-off match against Botswana near Johannesburg last Sunday. Instead, a hastily assembled team of South African lower-league players lost 5-0.

Also read: Backlash Against Banyana Banyana as They Are Labelled “Mercenaries” and “Traitors” Amid Boycott

Banyana Banyana were also unhappy with the venue, saying they risked injuries on a sub-standard pitch. There was also disappointment at the choice of Botswana – a team ranked 96 places below South Africa – with the squad wanting stronger opponents.

Before the farewell match debacle, South Africa beat Uzbekistan, drew with Slovenia, and lost in warm-ups to Brazil (twice), Australia, and Serbia.

“SAFA might feel they have done enough, but I have a different opinion,” forward Jermaine Seoposenwe told the public broadcaster SABC. “But at the end of the day, I am a player and my job is to come here, play and then leave,” added the star from Mexican club CF Monterrey.

Banyana Banyana is ranked 54th worldwide. The squad is an outsider in Group G, which includes former runners-up Sweden (3), Italy (16), and Argentina (28). South Africa will play fellow qualifiers Costa Rica in a warm-up match on July 15 before beginning their World Cup campaign eight days later against the Swedes in Wellington.

The Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture will make an announcement on Wednesday related to Banyana Banyana’s departure to the World Cup.

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