By Nnenna Ibeh

At a time when almost everyone and several activities are calling for an end to gender pay gaps, it remains unfortunate that we have to beg for those who have put in the time and work to be paid what they deserve.

Barely two weeks before the kick-off of the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the female football team in South Africa, popularly known as Bayana Bayana, made a solid decision to boycott the national soccer team's World Cup Send-off Game. Their grievance, the South African Football Association (SAFA), failed to include money in their agreements before the world cup.

One of the primary issues contributing to this growing rift between Bayana Bayana and SAFA is the chronic lack of support and investment in women's football across Africa.

A report by the BBC said a former South Africa captain, Portia Modise, condemned SAFA for lack of support for women in the sports industry.

Modise's condemnation followed the boycott of the Bayana Bayana team in a South Africa send-off game. Stating that she used to change under the trees in her days, Modise adds,

"It's about time the girls stood together to fix whatever is happening right now in terms of their contracts and their payments.

"We have been experiencing this for so many years. I'm the only one who has been vocal about this issue. We've been on this journey - it's been long now - (including) my playing days. I could say it's been 25 years trying to solve this issue.

"The unfortunate part is, if they wanted to fix this, they knew about these problems a long time ago. We have been venting about gender equality - how women are being treated unfairly."

It is important to note that the issue of unfair treatment of women's sports teams is not peculiar to South African teams. In August 2020, female footballers in Nigeria staged a protest at the Cross Rivers state's Government House over unpaid salaries. On other occasions, national team members have decried the unfair treatment meted out to them by the nation's football association.

In addition, despite their achievements and the growing popularity of Bayana Bayana and the Super Eaglets, the resources allocated to women's football development have remained disproportionately low compared to the men's game. 

It is important to note that such systemic neglect, if not addressed, undermines the morale and motivation of players, making it difficult to sustain a productive relationship with the governing body.

Whether we like it or not, the non-payment or undervalue of African female footballers has far-reaching consequences for developing and recognizing women's football in the continent and the world.

The non-payment of African female footballers highlights the ongoing gender inequalities in the sports industry, especially in Africa. Also, persisting economic exploitation, cultural biases, institutional negligence, and a lack of governance heavily contribute to this systemic injustice. 

We must note that talented athletes often need proper financial support to access training facilities, quality coaching, and essential resources for their growth. The lack of recognition and financial reward discourages aspiring young players from pursuing their dreams, perpetuating a cycle of underinvestment and little or no progress in the sports industry. Consequently, Africa as a continent needs to harness the full potential of its female football talent.

Furthermore, it is only by acknowledging and rectifying these systemic injustices can African female footballers receive the recognition, respect, and remuneration they rightfully deserve.