Bonus Standoff Looms Between Bafana Bafana and SAFA Ahead of AFCON
A tense situation is brewing between Bafana Bafana players and the South African Football Association (Safa) concerning match bonuses for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). With the tournament in Morocco just weeks away, negotiations have seemingly hit a snag, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the team's preparations.
The negotiations between the players and Safa began in Gqeberha, during the camp for the international friendly match against Zambia two weeks ago. Leading the players' delegation are captain Ronwen Williams and senior players such as Teboho Mokoena. However, Safa insiders suggest that the players' demands are exceeding the association's budget.
At the heart of the dispute is the percentage of tournament winnings the players are seeking. Sources close to Safa have revealed that Bafana Bafana players are demanding 50% of the total prize money the team earns at Afcon, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. Safa, on the other hand, has reportedly offered the players between 30% and 35% of the winnings.
“If the players take more than 50%, that will cripple the association financially. Their demands have increased significantly from the last tournament in the Ivory Coast. If they get this, Safa will not be able to cover all its expenses, and there will be no benefit for the association," said the well-placed insider. The insider added, “Safa gave them an offer of 30%-35%, and they came with a counteroffer of more than 50%."
This is not the first time bonuses have been a point of contention. It appears to be a recurring issue, with players seemingly firm in their negotiations as the tournament draws near.
Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao commented during the last Afcon's bonus talks: “We are adopting a similar structure to 2019 – that’s our basis to say what it is you are going to get if you go into the round of 16, the quarterfinals and so on. It is a performance bonus more than anything.”
Bafana Bafana's strong negotiating position stems from their impressive performances in the 2025 Afcon and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The team secured their place at the Afcon tournament comfortably, with matches to spare, and also qualified for the FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. This was achieved even after FIFA docked them three points for fielding an ineligible player, Mokoena.
South Africa finds itself in Group B for the Afcon tournament, alongside Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe. Their campaign will commence on December 22 against Angola at the Stade de Marrakech.
Typically, Bafana Bafana players receive R60,000 for a win, R30,000 for a draw, and no payment for a loss. However, for major tournaments, the players negotiate with Safa to establish a performance-based bonus arrangement, where the payout increases with each stage of progression.
In the previous Afcon tournament held in Ivory Coast in 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) increased the prize money by 40%. The champions, Ivory Coast, received 7million(R126million),whilerunners−upNigeriawereawarded7 million (R126 million), while runners-up Nigeria were awarded 4 million (R72 million). Bafana Bafana, along with the other semi-finalists DR Congo, each received R47 million. Quarter-finalists received 1.3million(R23million)each,andallparticipatingteamsreceived1.3 million (R23 million) each, and all participating teams received 500,000 (R9 million) for participating in the group stages.
Of the R47 million that Safa received, the association reportedly felt short-changed when the players took R40 million, leaving Safa with only R7 million. It is also worth noting that coach Hugo Broos is entitled to 10% of the team's winnings, as stipulated in his contract.
Following the 2023 Afcon, Williams, Themba Zwane, and former players Percy Tau, Siyanda Xulu, and Veli Mothwa signed the memorandum on behalf of the team. Safa usually provides a breakdown of the financial implications for players at each stage of the tournament. However, neither Safa nor the players have publicly disclosed the specifics of the bonus agreement.
The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the atmosphere within the Bafana Bafana camp as they prepare to compete on the continental stage. A resolution that satisfies both parties will be essential to ensure the team can focus on their performance and strive for success in the tournament.
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