The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been granted a lifeline by the Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), which advanced R5 million to the cash-strapped organisation. The funds will cover outstanding match fees and ensure players receive their salaries ahead of the festive season.

In November, Sunday World reported that SAFA owed match fees and bonuses to players from both Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana for the past two camps. The situation prompted players to seek help from the South African Football Players Union.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie Intervention

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie offered the advance with a stipulation: the amount will be deducted from SAFA’s grant for the 2025 financial year. Additionally, SAFA must provide a detailed explanation for its financial struggles and submit a viable turnaround plan to prevent a recurrence.

In a statement, the Minister said: “We cannot allow players to go into this festive season without payment, especially since they have done the country proud. The men’s team recently qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, and we need them to focus on preparing for this challenge, as well as making sure we get to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Banyana Banyana have also led the way, winning the African Women’s Championship in 2022 and going deep at the FIFA World Cup last year.”

SAFA welcomed the intervention and expressed gratitude to the Minister, committing to meeting the outlined conditions.

I couldn’t sit and watch our players not being paid over festive, we advanced 5 million rand to be used to pay all Bafana & Banyana players including their bonuses. We also demanded a turnaround strategy from @SAFA_net , our players made us proud. pic.twitter.com/N7ttdVEuUJ
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) December 12, 2024

SAFA Financial Challenges

SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao explained in correspondence with the Minister that the federation’s financial troubles stem from insufficient sponsorship revenues and delayed payments from partners. She added that a financial turnaround strategy aimed at increasing revenue and cutting costs is being finalised and will be presented to the Minister following the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting.

A History of Success Amid Financial Woes

The funding comes at a critical time as SAFA continues to grapple with financial difficulties, including unpaid match fees and bonuses owed to players from both Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana. These challenges prompted players to seek assistance from the South African Football Players Union.

Despite financial woes, both teams have delivered remarkable performances. Bafana Bafana recently qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with two games to spare and achieved third place in the last Afcon. Under coach Hugo Broos, the team has regained its competitive edge, drawing fans back to the stadiums.

Banyana Banyana, meanwhile, have set a high standard for South African football, securing the 2022 Women’s Afcon title and making an impressive run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Looking Ahead

As SAFA works to stabilise its finances, the Minister’s intervention ensures the immediate needs of players are met, preserving the momentum of South Africa’s top football teams heading into key international tournaments.