South Africa’s Women’s National Football Team, Banyana Banyana, has staged a training boycott in Morocco, just days before the start of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), citing unpaid allowances from the South African Football Association (SAFA).
According to SABC Sport, the reigning WAFCON champions refused to take part in their second training session on Friday following frustrations over unpaid dues for national team camps held in April and June, both crucial to head coach Desiree Ellis’ preparations for the continental tournament.
The squad arrived in Morocco on Wednesday ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on July 5, but tensions quickly rose after the players reported that SAFA had failed to settle outstanding payments.
The players are said to be demanding immediate disbursement of funds owed to them, warning that further inaction could disrupt their participation in the tournament.
On Thursday, Head of Delegation Thabile Msomi addressed the players, informing them that the matter had been escalated to SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan. However, the team remains without a concrete resolution or direct communication from SAFA leadership.
A player, speaking on condition of anonymity, told SABC Sport:
We had no formal meeting with SAFA today or even prior to camp. When we sought a meeting with the CEO, they simply said she was unavailable. The excuse given for the CFO/COO was that they were tired from an NEC meeting.
As it stands, Banyana Banyana remain in camp but have refused to resume training until their demands are addressed. The standoff casts uncertainty over the defending champions’ campaign and raises concerns about administrative support for women’s football in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the SAFA has yet to comment on the matter.
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