SAFA to try reach Banyana Banyana agreement before World Cup departure

On the eve of Banyana's departure to Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, drama unfolded at the team's camp in Parktown, Johannesburg as they demanded remuneration be included in their contracts for the tournament.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had to step in as mediator at Tsakane Stadium on Sunday as talks were held between the parties, including the South African Football Players' Union (SAFPU) to ensure parity in negotiations.

Monyepao says negotiations need to be concluded before the squad departs South Africa in 48 hours' time.

"We are going to engage further as the Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated. We had a round table where we engaged each other, so we are going to continue the discussions this afternoon,” she told the media.

“Or, depending on availabilities, so that we can iron out any outstanding issues before the team departs. It's quite important that we are on the same page because the last thing that we want is to get to New Zealand and we are still not agreeing.”

Monyepao had to address the matter of Banyana on the sidelines of a 10bet sponsorship announcement for Bafana Bafana on Monday morning, but assured their attention will quickly shift back to the senior women's national team and trying to find one another.

Among the issues raised that saw a makeshift team face Botswana in what was meant to be a World Cup send-off, was the quality of opposition and the inglorious venue, but central to it all was the players' request to have remuneration figures in black and white.

"We asked them for amendments to the contract, I only received their [players] proposed amendments on Saturday morning. So we haven't had time to engage on that contract and we have not asked anyone to sign that contract until we engage on it and reach an agreement.

"We are going to continue with the engagements and after that, we can be able to sign and agree. So that we are all on the same page before the team departs for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup." 

The CEO, who has only been in office for two months, is a former women's national team player before later serving as Banyana team manager. She admits, while she understands where the team is coming from, she has to be cognisant of SAFA's position.