Lesufi steps in as SAFA avoid R5m fine

SABC Sport broke the news of an imminent boycott of the national women’s team FIFA World Cup farewell fixture against Botswana at the Tsakane Stadium, a venue they deemed inadequate.  Following a meeting involving players, SAFA and the South African Football Players’ Union (SAFPU), it was Lesufi who briefed the media.

"First thing, they [players] were very upfront, they've never taken a collective decision not to honour this fixture. There were issues that they felt needed to be attended to, and they were caught by surprise when they were told that they do not want to honour this fixture. Secondly, they've raised the issue of contracts, that overall they've received on the basis that they were areas of deep concern, and they wanted to formally place those issues, which would request amendments to the contracts", Lesufi said. 

FIFA frowns on political involvement in football and have in the past banned member federations as a result. But Lesufi felt it necessary to mediate the impasse.

"They are of the strong view that the football authorities were quite aware of the team qualifying for the World Cup, and there are issues that they felt should have been attended to earlier than now. And amongst those issues was their opponents, even though it was explained, the players felt that [and] without undermining Botswana, they feel they are in a group that has top quality teams and they felt that [aspect] should have determined who they should play." 

Banyana will face Sweden, Italy and Argentina in their group at the World Cup later this month and the facilities there are of a quality standard. The players insisted the Tsakane Stadium, unfit for Premier Soccer League (PSL)  matches, was simply below par.

Coach Desiree Ellis and her squad jet off on Wednesday and will face Costa Rica before their opening match. Lesufi says they are committed to representing their country. 

"Their commitment to Banyana Banyana remains firm. They are committed to executing their responsibilities, these are administrative matters that need to be attended to, but no one must doubt their commitment to representing the country and their commitment to playing as a team." 

Botswana’s 5-0 win over a makeshift Banyana team meant SAFA avoided a penalty of around R5-million had the fixture been called off.