Banyana Banyana lands extra after lack of support from Jordaan

Players of Banyana Banyana became almost overnight millionaires ahead of their Fifa Women’s World Cup trip on Wednesday. This comes after days of defiance and talks resulted in South African businessman Patrice Motsepes, pitched in a sizeable amount after a lack of support from Danny Jordaan.

Following what has been a week of testing the country’s view on gender equality and the Minister of Sport, Zizi Kodwa’s competency to address Banyana Banyana’s concerns, it’s safe to say that Kodwa’s job is safe- for now.

Many can’t say the same for SAFA President Danny Jordaan, who has seemingly earned himself the antagonist’s role in this story.

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DANNY JORDAAN: FOOTBALL’S VERY OWN BLAMESHIFTER

With many having expected SAFA to hear Banyana Banyana out and rectify the gender pay gap issue, among other concerns raised, Jordaan took the hard line, even going as far as explaining that this was not a South African issue.

He went on to express how SAFA began contract negotiations too late, which should not happen next time to prevent contract mishaps again.

With all that Jordaan said, not a single apology was afforded to Banyana Banyana, despite many members of the public demanding that he do so.

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SAFA FINANCES IN DISARRAY

Since the act of defiance that has since sparked conversation, many have questioned why SAFA is so stingy with its funds.

With Jordaan having expressed that the association does not have the additional funds to top the team’s pockets, one questions where the money in SAFA truly goes.

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SO BANYANA BANYANA IS RICH DESPITE JORDAAN?

It seems as though the Motsepe’s benefited the team a great deal, having promised them R230 000 each, which is in addition to the R2 million from the National Lotteries Commission, which will be shared among the team.

The team was already set to receive R560 000 each from Fifa, so now that leaves them with just under a million rand each in their pocket.

The Fifa Women’s World Cup is set to take place between 20 July 2023- 20 August 2023, and co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

With half the team already having left for New Zealand to represent the country in the biggest football tournament, the question remains: Should the team do well, will we see another episode of money gatekeeping from SAFA once more?

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