Banyana carrot a bit suspicious

The offer by Safa of a bonus of R9.2m for Banyana Banyana, should they win the upcoming Africa Women's Cup of Nations, has been rightfully met with raised eyebrows and cynicism.

This is not because the national women's football team does not deserve this reward but rather due to the politics behind what appears to be an insincere gesture.

Banyana Banyana have been the best national football team the country boasts for some time now, and if anything, the players are worthy of the money and more. But the cynicism over the hurriedly made announcement of the bonus by Safa president Danny Jordaan ahead of elections is not misplaced. 

First, Safa has paid lip service to the development of women's football and the wage disparities between male and female national football teams over the years, even if this is not a uniquely South African problem. 

While Banyana players have consistently produced the results on the pitch – be it at Cosafa or Afcon tournaments, with better performances than Bafana over they years – they are still paid less than their male counterparts. A professional women's league was only launched a few years ago, meaning most Banyana players came through the amateur ranks.

Second, Jordaan, who stands to benefit from this gesture to Banyana, is vying for a third term as Safa president and his campaign is seemingly framed around driving gender transformation in football. This is curious, considering Jordaan is being challenged by the first female Safa presidential candidate in Ria Ledwaba.

It is likely that the timing of this announcement was meant to boost Jordaan's campaign rather than being borne out of a genuine desire to encourage and reward Banyana players. 

This dangling of the carrot must therefore be seen for what it is: an electioneering ploy by those in charge of Safa who want to maintain the status quo. It can only be meant to lull us all into forgetting about their glaring failures over the years.

It further goes to show how the playing fields are not level in the upcoming Safa elections in that those in charge can use their power to their advantage and not in the best interest of football. Banyana players and the football-loving nation deserve better than this.