Bafana players hold Safa to ransom with 50% Afcon bonuses demand

Association offers 30% to 35% of price money won

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

A standoff is looming between Bafana Bafana players and the South African Football Association (Safa) over the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) match bonuses.

The negotiations between the players and the national association started in the camp for the international friendly against Zambia in Gqeberha two weeks ago. The players' delegation is led by captain Ronwen Williams and senior players such as Teboho Mokoena. Safa's bone of contention is that the players are demanding way above budget.

Well-placed Safa insiders have revealed that Bafana players are demanding 50% of what the team will accomplish at Afcon, which will take place in Morocco from December 21 until January 18 when the final will be played.

Sunday World has been reliably informed that Safa has offered the players between 30% and 35% of their winnings.

South Africa has been placed in Group B together with Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe. They will open their campaign against Angola at the Stade de Marrakech on December 22.