The national team refused to play in the game due to the condition of the field, while they were also demanding bonuses from the South Africa Football Association.

The players deemed the field on the East Rand to be below par for an international game and there was a real concern for injuries, especially before the FIFA Women's World Cup. The players felt that they deserve to play at a more prestigious venue such as the Orlando Stadium or FNB Stadium, and against a stronger opponent.

Furthermore, the players said they would receive only R565 537 each from FIFA for being at the World Cup, but nothing from SAFA. Just last year SAFA backtracked on promised bonuses after Banyana won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

SAFA stated that the team would only be paid the bonuses from FIFA and not from the national governing body, and they warned the players that if they do not commit to the fixture, they would be sent home.

The Banyana players refused to budge and eventually a makeshift team was put together from local club players. This even included a 13-year-old child playing in the “national side”. The fixture eventually kicked off an hour later than originally planned.

Botswana who are ranked 96 places below South Africa on the FIFA world rankings won the game 5-0.

Just more than a week ago, when the final group of 23 players to attend the World Cup was announced, some politicians didn’t bother showing up for the poorly planned and executed squad announcement and function.

Banyana are set to depart from Australasia on Wednesday and Thursday in two groups, but it remains to be seen what action will be taken and if the players indeed board the flights. The fact of the matter remains that Banyana are the champions of Africa and they do deserve a lot better than this.

South Africa are set to face Costa Rica in New Zealand in a warm-up game before facing Sweden in Wellington on 23 July in their first game of the World Cup.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport