Matlou – FIFA Money Is Changing Our Families’ Lives

Banyana Banyana veteran defender Noko Matlou says the bonuses from FIFA will go a long way in elevating their lives, not just as professionals but even that of their families.

Banyana qualified for their second Women’s World Cup in succession by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco last year.

As a consequence Banyana and all players from the other 31 teams that participated in Australia and New Zealand were guaranteed $30 000 (R572 000) from the world governing body for the group stages and double that for reaching the knockout phase $60 000 (R1.4 million).

South Africa in their second appearance achieved their target of reaching the last-16 round. The Eibar defender, who played for South Africa in different generations including those that never got anything at all for their efforts, told iDiski Times Writer Lethabo Kganyago in edition 116 of the newspaper that the money will change the players lives.

“We know that securing the bag was also very important,” Matlou told iDiski Times.               

“Because this bag is going to change our lives, it’s going to change our families’ lives.

“We had nothing where we came from and now it shows that, if you work hard there is always a reward.

“It’s going to change our lives and that of our families.”

You can read Matlou’s full interview with Kganyago in edition 116 available on iDiski Times website.