South Africa women's national team Banyana Banyana have staged a boycott protesting their unpaid dues just days ahead of the 2024 Wafcon.
The team is already in Morocco for the biennial competition, which will start on July 5 until the 26th of the month. The Ellis Desiree-led team won the last edition and will be aiming to successfully defend their crown.
However, financial challenges have already hit the camp even before the competition kicks off in a week's time.
‘Banyana Banyana refuse to train'
“Wafcon defending champions, Banyana Banyana, have staged a stay-in and are refusing to train, citing unpaid dues from the South African Football Association (SAFA),” SABC Sport reported.
“The team boycotted their second training session on Friday, after lodging complaints with SAFA. The players are demanding immediate payment of outstanding salaries for their April and June camps, which were part of Wafcon preparations.
“The team was addressed on Thursday by Head of Delegation Thabile Msomi, who informed the players that the matter has been escalated to SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan. As of now, the players remain in limbo, awaiting a direct address from Dr. Jordaan regarding their payments.”
Banyana Banyana claim there was no formal meeting with Jordaan
The national team players are complaining that nobody from Safa is showing a goodwill to address their concerns.
“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,” an unnamed player said as quoted by the national broadcaster.
South Africa are in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania, with their first game scheduled on July 7 against the Black Queens.
Safa have not yet responded to the allegations raised by the players.
