SEDIBENG.- Banyana Banyana jetted out of the country on Wednesday for their much anticipated upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
This was after a much-published dispute between SAFA and Banyana Banyana over bonuses.
However, the Motsepe Foundation came to the rescue and resolved the matter when they pledged funds with Banyana Banyana players believed to receive R 230 000 bonuses in addition to the FIFA fee of the amount of R560 000 appearance fee.
This was before Banyana Banyana boycotted their international friendly match against Botswana at Tsakane Stadium last Sunday which forced SAFA to organize a makeshift team for ‘damage control’. Before the team’s departure, Banyana Banyana Captain, Refiloe Jane, was confident that what happened will not hamper their spirit.
She said it is every player’s dream to play at the World Cup and that they are going to perform to the best of their ability. Banyana Banyana will play their opening match against Sweden on 23 July.
“What happened will never affect us because all of us want to make a name for ourselves as individuals and be remembered as players who made the country proud. We are looking forward to our opening match against Sweden and we will be ready at the time we take to the field,” he concluded.
