CAF Increases WAFCON Prize Money as Banyana Target R17.5 Million Payday

• Confédération Africaine de Football has announced how much the winner of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2024)will take home, following a 100% increase
• South Africa’s title defence was rocked by a training boycott over unpaid salaries for friendly matches
• Banyana Banyana will miss the services of star striker, Thembi Kgatlana misses the tournament due to personal reasons

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the prize money for the winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024.

The total prize money has been increased by CAF by 45%, with the winner’s prize seeing a whopping 100% increase. If Banyana Banyana retain the title they won two years ago, they will pocket a staggering 17.5 million rands.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe spoke of how the body was committed to the development and growth of women’s football in Africa, hence the increase in the financial rewards.

He hoped the prize money would substantially help with ensuring that the coaches, staff and players are paid competitive salaries.

Training boycott over unpaid salaries

Last week, Banyana Banyana’s preparations for the tournament hit a snag when the players embarked on a boycott of training, citing outstanding payment of their salaries for friendly matches played in March and April.

South Africa missing star player

The ladies resume their quest to defend their title on Monday when they play against Ghana. Coach Desiree Ellis will be missing star striker Thembi Kgatlana, who isn’t part of the squad in Morocco due to personal reasons.

South Africa will be banking on the prolific midfielder Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Ronnel Donnely for inspiration. Banyana Banyana are placed in Group B alongside Ghana, Mali and Tanzania, and the competition is scheduled to start on July 5, 2025, in Morocco.

Banyana Banyana receive rousing support

Meanwhile, the ladies have been showered with love from football icons, ranging from Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo to Bafana Bafana great Lucas Radebe. The two former stars rallied behind the team and showed them their unwavering support.

Doctor Khumalo was upbeat about their prospects of reclaiming the trophy.

"The wonderful thing about the whole thing is that they're going to defend the title. And also, they've made history, obviously, by winning the Women’s African Cup of Nations in 2022. So now they're going to be the target of the tournament.

Lucas Radebe echoed the sentiment, warning the ladies that every team will be aiming to bring them down since they're the defending champions.

"What a fantastic opportunity for them to be able to defend the title. I think what they must realise is that now everybody is gunning for them. It's going to get even tougher, but they have the quality to do it, as long as they work hard"

Danny Jordaan speaks on the Amajita bonus

Briefly News previously reported that the South African Football Association (SAFA) has yet to finalise any bonus or incentive structure for the Amajita squad following their historic U-20 Afcon triumph in Egypt.

Source: Briefly News