By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:SAFA.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Gayton McKenzie announced that the department will pay almost R10 million in bonuses to the national teams.
McKenzie briefed the members of the media at Freedom Park in Tshwane.
The financial reward went to Banyana Banyana (R1million), the Proteas Women (R1million), the Women’s National Rugby Team (R1million), Amajita (R1million), and Amajimbos (R500 000), but it was Bafana Bafana’s unbeaten streak that captured the spotlight.
“R5 million will be going to the players in preparation for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco and the 2026 World Cup in the US,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said, this is not merely a token of appreciation but a deliberate move to motivate the squad ahead of upcoming international fixtures, including crucial qualifiers.
“This investment is a testament to their hard work and the pride they instill in our nation,” McKenzie added.
He also said that the South African Football Association (SAFA) have completed their investigation into the administrative blunder that led to Bafana Bafana being docked three points during World Cup qualifying.
“SAFA has complied with my request and has completed its investigation. They provided me with a very comprehensive investigation, and I can report today that we now have full clarity on what happened, “said McKenzie.
“The report confirms this was not an act of negligence or sabotage, but rather a strange, highly unusual set of coincidences.
“The two yellow cards issued to Teboho Mokoena came 16 months apart, an almost unheard of gap.”
“The team manager Vincent Tseka, who has taken responsibility for that oversight despite numerous excruciating circumstances, was not present when the second card was issued as he had left the field to fetch ice for the players.”
As part of broader efforts to modernise South African football, McKenzie confirmed that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be introduced in the domestic league by next season.
The project will be led by former referee Daniel Bennett, alongside Victor Gomes, Jerome Damon, and Abdul Ibrahim, with an initial R20 million in government funding.
“VAR is not just about correcting referee mistakes, it’s about restoring faith in our football,” McKenzie explained.”