Latest news with #Morroco
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana, Amajita's conquests hinged on resilience, yet systemic reform is vital
On top of the world Banyana Banyana players celebrate with the trophy after beating Morroco in the final of the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: BackpagePix On the landscape of South African football, the tale of triumph and resilience continues to captivate and inspire following Banyana Banyana and Amajita's conquests in Africa despite significant challenges. As a result of inadequate financial backing, high operational costs, player bonuses, staff salaries, infrastructure limitations and a lack of proper training facilities all combine to hinder a team's success. These systemic issues strip away the potential for continuous success and leave players reliant on their inner fortitude. South African teams exhibit admirable tenacity and spirit. However, their future success may depend more on comprehensive structural reforms rather than the sheer determination of the players. In May 2025, South Africa's U-20 men's team clinched their maiden AFCON title through a narrow 1-0 win against Morocco in hostile Cairo. This hard-fought triumph was not only about talent but also about rising above problems along their journey. The success of Banyana, particularly evident with their 2022 AFCON win, brings a glimmer of hope but also an urgent call to action. For South Africa to sustain its success in the international football arena, especially for future tournaments, the football fraternity must champion the need for reforms. This includes ensuring equitable distribution of funding and increasing transparency in financial management across all levels of play. Banyana are in Morocco, gearing up for a crucial title defence in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Their championship campaign kicks off on Monday with a high-stakes match against Ghana. However, days before their first game, the team found themselves compelled to stage a protest in a bid to draw attention to outstanding fees owed to them. Players voiced their frustration over unpaid bonuses and allowances, issues that have cast a shadow over their preparations. While the resilience of players is commendable, it should not be the primary foundation upon which the team's success rests. The ongoing victories might resonate with national pride, yet they are often interpreted as a celebration of player grit rather than an affirmation of a well-oiled sporting structure. The story of Banyana and their victory serves as a reminder that the status quo cannot be sustainable if South Africa is to emerge as a football powerhouse. Implementing effective reforms will be essential not only for the national teams but for the entire football community, fostering an environment where talent can thrive without the incessant fear of operational shortcomings. At the core of the systemic shortcomings in national football lies the persistent struggle to attract substantial sponsorship. This dilemma speaks volumes about the sport's governance and the challenges that underpin its daily operations. No wonder football comes under fire regularly. The dream of a powerhouse South African football narrative is not just aspirational; it is attainable with the right concerted efforts aimed at stabilising the sport's financial and operational integrity. For the future of football in South Africa, embracing change is no longer an option—it is a necessity.
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
South Africa's national teams thrive despite SAFA's leadership failures
On top of the world Banyana Banyana players celebrate with the trophy after beating Morroco in the final of the last Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It's been a good couple of years for South African football, and credit should go to the coaches and players because the administrators haven't got a clue what they're doing. The work that Hugo Broos has done to turn Bafana Bafana around after a number of disappointing years is commendable. He's built a competitive team that features a lot of locally based players, something that's not often seen on the African continent Similarly, Ellis has proved that she's one of the best coaches in the country, male or female. Her team continue to grow, and are well placed to defend their title at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations later this year. It shouldn't be forgotten that all of this success is happening at a time when the South African Football Association is not in a good place. The federation is cash-strapped, and has to rely on an advance of a government grant to ensure that staff get paid. On top of that, administrators are not painting SAFA in a positive light. Last year, SAFA president Danny Jordaan was arrested and charged with fraud over allegations he used the federation's bank account as his own. But, despite the dysfunction at the administrative level, our national teams continue to thrive. That resilience is a testament to the passion, talent, and determination that exists within South African football. While the suits in the boardrooms stumble, the players on the pitch and the coaches on the touchline continue to carry the nation's footballing hopes with pride and excellence. If anything, the current success is a powerful reminder of what could be achieved with better leadership at the top. For now, South Africa can celebrate the fact that its footballing heartbeat remains strong — not because of the system, but in spite of it. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
