Banyana Banyana Boycott WAFCON Training Over Unpaid Salaries by SAFA
South Africans are up in arms after Banyana Banyana, the national women’s football team, staged a dramatic boycott of their training session in Morocco, demanding unpaid salaries from the South African Football Association (SAFA). The team, who are defending champions at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), have refused to train ahead of the tournament kick-off on 5 July 2025.
The players claim they are still owed money for their April and June camps, part of their official preparations for the tournament.
“We had no formal meeting with SAFA today or even prior to camp,” said one Banyana Banyana player, who spoke anonymously to SABC Sport.
“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.”
The boycott has ignited outrage across South Africa, with many fans blaming SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan and demanding his immediate resignation.
Fans erupt in anger online
The hashtag #DannyJordaanMustGo began trending on X, as supporters rallied behind the players.
“When is Danny Jordaan leaving? Man is holding our football back,” wrote @_TerryPayne.
“SAFA doesn’t respect these women. Why must they always be on a strike for their salaries? Yoh,” added @Penelope_Mph0.
“Danny is getting di 10m but players are not getting paid. The whole country is scared of one man,” wrote @Hadja_Safadja.
Another user, @GetrudeM, said:
“Then you wonder why some of the senior players have prematurely retired or excused themselves from team selection. Danny Jordaan must go.”
SAFA yet to respond directly
According to SABC Sport, the players were addressed on Thursday by Head of Delegation Thabile Msomi, who told them the issue had been escalated to Dr Jordaan. However, as of Saturday morning, the players had yet to receive a formal response from SAFA’s top leadership.
“They work hard for this money,” wrote @Khawuta56.
“Why are they not being paid?”
Some fans called for action from Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie, tagging him in posts urging intervention.
“@GaytonMcK your presence is needed here, sir,” posted @_therealshokii.
“Come this side wena n solve this embarrassment,” echoed @TshepoBZ.
Calls for leadership change grow louder
Discontent with SAFA’s leadership has been simmering for years, but this latest incident has fuelled nationwide calls for reform.
“SAFA urgently needs a complete revamp. Major sponsors won’t commit as long as the current leadership remains in place,” warned @tintatso1.
“That’s good, why don’t they want to pay them? Those ladies work for this money,” said @Khawuta56.
As the WAFCON tournament looms, uncertainty still surrounds whether the players will take the field without a resolution.
This is a developing story.