The South African Football Association have – for the first time – vowed to give Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana the same bonuses for their upcoming tournaments in 2019.
Check out Banyana's impressive World Cup sendoff in the gallery above!
With Desiree Ellis’ Banyana side having become the first South African women’s team to reach the World Cup finals, SAFA’s President, Danny Jordaan, announced at their official send off that they would be given the same bonus structure as their male counterparts that are heading to the African Cup of Nations.
If Banyana are able to make it past China, Spain and Germany to reach the Round of 16 in France, then Jordaan revealed that each of the players will be given R320,000 for their efforts, likewise with Bafana in Egypt when they come up against Ivory Coast, Morocco and Namibia. The bonuses will go up the further they get into their respective competitions.
While one is a continental tournament and the other the global stage, the fact that SAFA have agreed to pay the same bonuses is a big step forward with regards to trying to reach some form of pay equality in South African football, and Ellis has spoken of how much it means to the players ahead of their maiden World Cup journey.
She told the media on Thursday, “I think it’s fantastic… It shows how women’s football has grown. It shows that they’re taking women’s football seriously, and more importantly – for the players – it gives them another sort of incentive.
“You don’t need extra motivation at a World Cup, but this is really a great incentive for the players, so they’re really excited.”
Banyana’s first World Cup game sees them take on China in Le Havre on June 8.
