Defending champions Banyana Banyana have boycotted training just days after arriving in Morocco for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), citing unpaid allowances and camp dues from the South African Football Association (SAFA).
According to report, the squad refused to participate in their second training session on Friday, demanding immediate payment for unsettled April and June camp allowances related to their WAFCON preparations under head coach Desiree Ellis.
The team is reportedly frustrated by SAFA’s lack of communication and delayed financial obligations, with players alleging that they were denied formal engagements with top SAFA officials despite repeated requests.
A player who spoke anonymously said:
“We had no formal meeting with SAFA today or even prior to camp. 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.”
SAFA has yet to make an official public statement but reportedly escalated the issue to its president, Dr. Danny Jordaan, after Head of Delegation Thabile Msomi addressed the players on Thursday.