By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Banyana Banyana suffered a humiliating 5-0 to Botswana at Tsakane Stadium on Sunday, in a day overshadowed by a standoff between the South African Football Association and the 2022 Women’s Africa of Nations champions.
The friendly was meant to be a farewell match for the team before their departure to the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but the day will be remembered as one of the saddest in South African football history.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis was forced to name a makeshift team to play Botswana after the country’s Fifa Women’s World Cup squad decided to boycott the match.
The reason for the boycott is that Banyana were not happy with the match venue, Tsakane Stadium, as they suggested that the venue was substandard to host their World Cup preparation match.
However, the match did take place and the Mares beat Banyana 5-0 to register their maiden win over South Africa since 2011. Ontlametse Gaonyadiwe opened the scoring with a first-half hat-trick before Mamelodi Sundowns’ Refilwe Tholakele netted a brace.
Banyana are set to depart for the World Cup and Sports and Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa has intervened amid Banyana’s potential revolt ahead of the global spectacle.
“We are 18 days away from the start of the Fifa Women’s World Cup on 20 July 2023 in Australia and New Zealand,” Kodwa said in a statement released on Sunday.
Banyana players, are seeking payment of about R1-million each for playing three group games in the World Cup. The minister will continue to intervene in the matter.
“I will be meeting with the South Africa Football Players Union on Tuesday 4 July 2023 to hear the serious concerns expressed by the team.”
Banyana, who meet Costa Rica in a final warm-up game in Christchurch on July 15, depart from South Africa in two groups on Wednesday and Thursday.