Shocking! Bafana Bafana not paid despite impressive 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign - 'As well as Banyana Banyana and their technical staff'

Surprisingly, Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana have not been paid for several months despite their impressive performances at the continental level in recent months.

Bafana have secured its spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. Similarly, Banyana have also successfully reserved their place in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Nevertheless, according to the South African Football Players Union (Safpu), Bafana and Banyana have not received their payments for the past few caps and that prompted the union to step in.

"The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana for their remarkable achievement in qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This is a proud moment for our nation, and we commend the players, coaching staff, and technical teams for their dedication, skill, and patriotism. Their hard work has earned South Africa this prestigious accomplishment, and we celebrate their success," reads Safpu statement, per iDiski Times. 

"However, while we acknowledge and celebrate this achievement, it is with great disappointment that we must address a critical issue that continues to affect our players. Despite their dedication to representing South Africa, both the Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana teams, as well as their technical staff, have not been paid for several months. These overdue payments, some dating back to multiple camps, are a violation of the rights of our players and staff. The failure to address this issue is not just a breach of contractual obligations, but a form of exploitation that undermines the players’ hard work and sacrifices.

"It is unacceptable that our athletes, who give their all for the country, have been left without the financial compensation they are due. To date, no clear explanation has been provided to the players regarding these outstanding payments, nor any indication of when the issue will be resolved. The lack of transparency and accountability is deeply troubling," added the union. 

"The financial strain caused by non-payment is far-reaching. Some players have been phased out of the system, despite still being owed money. This exploitation also has long-term consequences, as many players face financial hardship after their careers. It is concerning that, in a country where athletes face a high tax burden, there has been no move to create a special tax dispensation or regulated pension scheme for sportspeople. Such measures would allow our players to not only succeed during their careers but also secure their financial futures after football."

"The South African Football Players Union has already reached out to SAFA, seeking clarity on these issues. We have formally requested a meeting to discuss these matters and find a collective solution that ensures the well-being of our athletes and the long-term success of South African football. It is crucial that both the men‘s and women’s teams enter the upcoming AFCON and WAFCON tournaments in the best possible financial and mental condition, so they can perform at their highest level," the statement continued. 

"Additionally, we cannot ignore the ongoing court case involving SAFA’s leadership, particularly President Dr. Danny Jordaan and CFO Gronny Hluyo. While SAFPU respects the legal process, we hope these proceedings will not prevent SAFA from addressing urgent issues such as the non-payment of national team players and other employment-related matters.

"In conclusion, while we celebrate the achievements of our national teams, we cannot overlook the financial challenges that continue to impact our players and the integrity of the game. It is time for these issues to be addressed with the urgency and seriousness they deserve. SAFPU looks forward to a productive meeting with SAFA and the resolution of these critical matters for the benefit of our players, teams, and the future of South African football."

Bafana have continued to impress after securing the bronze medal in the 2023 Afcon held in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year. They secured their spot in next year's edition by winning every match in the qualifying campaign.

Banyana, the current title-holders of the Wafcon, are pitted in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania for the upcoming finals set to take place in Morocco next year.

The unpaid developments concerning Bafana and Banyana have surfaced following Safa president Dr. Danny Jordaan's arrest on suspicion of committing fraud and theft. He was alleged to have utilized the organization's funds for his own gain.

Safa has yet to respond to the issue, leaving everyone curious about the reasons behind their delay in disbursing Bafana and Banyana's salaries.

Safpu has mentioned that they will arrange a meeting with the football association's leadership to address and resolve the issue.

Following their successful qualification for the Afcon, Hugo Broos and his team will now focus on the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, which is scheduled to resume in March next year.