Former Banyana Banyana captain Portia Modise has challenged head coach Desiree Ellis to "stand up" for her players and "not betray" them following the bonus row with SAFA.
Banyana Banyana's game against Botswana on Sunday was supposed to be a send off match for them before jetting out of the country to participate at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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However, the Banyana camp was rocked by contractual chaos with SAFA on Saturday, as the two parties are yet to agree on the remuneration they will get for participating at the World Cup.
The Banyana Banyana players, whose bargaining has been done by the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU), rejected the offer from SAFA.
Modise says what is happening now is no surprise to her but the women's national team needs to be respected because they also have lives and bills to pay.
"Things need to change. Yes, we're athletes, people will see us as if we don't have value or choosing the sport we're stupid. We're not. It's our work, we're working too," Modise said in a video posted on her social media accounts.
"We deserve to have a good life out of what we do. I deserve to pay bills after playing or representing my nation. I need to be able to sustain my life.
"What is happening today I've been singing about it that it is not fair for women's football, the suppression is too much," she said.
The former Sports Star of the Year also questioned why corporate South Africa is not willing to support Banyana Banyana financially, as there's also reports that the players want additional payments from SAFA, in addition to what the association will get from FIFA.
"Corporate companies, Banyana have sponsors too but there's no sponsors or companies saying they are proud of Banyana that besides SAFA, we corporate will support Banyana and make the country proud. It's not about SAFA, it's about the country," she said.
Modise went on and urged the players to tell the truth so that South African citizens can help them.
And she also challenged coach Ellis "to show loyalty" to the players by fighting their cause.
"I'm asking the country, help, our sisters, our brothers help because it's not even about the generation that plays today, it's about the generation and (next) generation," she continued.
"They need to be in a better condition. So I'm just saying to my girls, it's about team work, we have woman CEO, a woman coach, stand tall.
"Tell the truth, so the country could help. Des (Desiree Ellis), I never had a problem with you but it's time to stand up, don't betray your players, show your loyalty," she said.
"They gave you trophies, they gave you their loyalty. Stand up now, it's about time," she added.
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