When they start their campaign at the Fifa Women’s World Cup soon, Banyana Banyana will be carrying the hopes of the nation. We all will be looking forward to seeing our women’s national team giving a good account of themselves against the best in the world.
That they have qualified to compete in the international tournament, having been crowned the continental champions last year, is an achievement in itself.
Banyana’s World Cup participation is significant in other ways too. It should engender more interest in football among more girls and women, especially in a country where women’s football is still treated as Cinderella sport.
The tournament will mean international exposure for the players and the possibility of enticing prospects opening up around the world.
the team had to be embroiled in an unseemly wrangle with local soccer’s controlling body, the South African Football Association (Safa), over contracts and payments, among other things.
The debacle overshadowed what should have been a great send-off for a team that is now the best-performing of all our national soccer sides.
The last-minute wrangling over what should be routine arrangements for a national team must put the spotlight on Safa, which is supposed to be the custodian of all local football, responsible for its development and welfare, including women’s football.
It is a sad reflection on the association that arrangements for the tournament were not completed in time, and that disputes required the intervention of external parties to be resolved.
In an era in which there is a global push for male and female athletes to be treated equally, Safa’s treatment of Banyana Banyana should give long-serving Safa president Danny Jordaan and his management team cause for deep reflection.
We hope that despite the chaos preceding their departure, the team will do the country proud. As they have before.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.