By Nthabiseng Makhokha

South Africa’s women’s national soccer team, Banyana Banyana, was set to play against their neighbouring country, Botswana, on Sunday, July 2nd, as a warm-up before their send-off to the Women’s World Cup in Australia. However, confusion ensued as the Africa champions boycotted the game in a bid to stand up against the myriad of issues they have with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

The game was delayed by an hour as South Africa coach, Desiree Ellis, scrambled to find substitute players to save the day from the second-tier Sasol Women's League, amongst which was a 13-year-old. The replacement team lost 5-0 to The Mares.

“I had to put a team on the field, and we have a team,” Ellis commented, “Once we get this match out of the way, we’ll sit down and see the way forward.”

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is understood to have become engaged in the players' alleged contractual disagreement over the players' compensation with SAFA, which is led by president, Danny Jordaan.

“They are fighting for their rights. SAFA doesn't want to include money in their contracts. We must fight for the rights of these players,” said the president of SAPFU, Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe.

In a report published by Sunday Times, the players are demanding R1m (around £42,000) each in compensation for their three World Cup group G matches against Sweden, Argentina, and Italy.

Another disgruntlement was the low-quality field they were set to play at. The players reportedly did not want to play the game at the stadium as they deemed Tsakane Stadium, which holds a crowd of 5000, unworthy of a team about to compete at the World Cup. There were also concerns about injuries ahead of their big matches.

The team feels disrespected and have also expressed dissatisfaction with the association for failing to find competition of a higher calibre than Botswana.

Gaoshubelwe believes that the ongoing impasse is Jordaan’s fault as the team’s complaints had been dismissed.

The minister of sports for South Africa, Zizi Kodwa, announced in a statement that he will meet with the players' union on Tuesday, July 4th, "to hear the serious concerns expressed by the team."

Although South Africa won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations last year, marking the country's first big victory, the players frequently gripe that they don't receive the same respect or advantages as the men's squad.

The team is scheduled to travel to New Zealand in two groups on July 4th and 5th.