SAFA are in the middle of the crisis as Banyana Banyana are refusing to play against Botswana at Tsakane Stadium in the friendly match on Sunday (3pm).
According to a source, the players are unhappy at the choice of the venue this time around unlike in 2019.
Ahead of the 2019 World Cup in France where Banyana made their debut, SAFA decided to play their games at the 2010 World Cup stadiums such as Moses Mabhida Stadium, DHL Stadium and FNB Stadium. That was welcomed by coach Desiree Ellis, as they were going to play in big venues in France.
But this time around against Botswana, the match is at Tsakane Stadium in what is a crucial friendly for Banyana before they depart to the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. This has led to them boycotting the double standards, saying they deserve better.
“The president Danny Jordaan is handling the matter but the players are not impressed to be playing the friendly at Tsakane Stadium,” stated a source.
“SAFA will have a meeting on Sunday morning to solve this matter but Banyana don’t want to play this game at all.”
To make matters worse, Botswana is not going to the World Cup and Banyana players feel they will not get the sort of competition they will need before the World Cup.
If Banyana don’t play this match, their last friendly before the World Cup will be against Costa Rica on 15 July in Christchurch. The South Americans, who will be heading to the World Cup unlike Botswana, however, have lost their last five matches in all competitions.
South Africa is in World Cup Group G and they will face Italy, Argentina and the formidable Sweden, who won the bronze medal four years ago.
Argentina will just have one match against Peru before the group stages start.
Italy played one friendly, drawing against Morocco on Saturday. Sweden, who are one of the favourites to win the World Cup, will play three friendly matches – against Mexico, Japan and Canada before the start of the World Cup.
The only saving grace for Banyana is that Argentina, in three previous World Cup participations, has not won a single match, losing seven of nine matches, giving them a chance to get something.
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However, Italy reached the quarter finals four years ago, their best in the global event, losing to the Netherlands.
