SA Players Union takes on SAFA over ‘missing’ Bafana bonuses

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) has stepped into the ring to battle SAFA over unpaid bonuses allegedly owed to the Bafana Bafana squad that participated in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Six months after the tournament concluded in East Africa, the “B-team” stars—many of whom were unattached at the time—claim they have been left in a financial lurch by the association.

Bafana CHAN captain Maema Blows the Whistle on SAFA

The controversy exploded last week when CHAN captain Neo Maema took to the airwaves, revealing that the squad has yet to see a cent of the promised performance bonuses. Despite finishing third in a tough Group C, Maema confirmed that the payout—reportedly in the region of R100,000 per player—remains outstanding.

“From me being the captain, I can testify that they haven’t paid,” Maema said. The Mamelodi Sundowns man further alleged that SAFA had received the necessary funds from CAF as far back as October, yet a promised December deadline came and went without a single deposit.

Former Bafana skipper Hlatshwayo Steps In

The plight of the “unemployed” Bafana squad has caught the attention of newly-elected SAFPU president Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo. The former national team skipper confirmed to SoccerLaduma that the union is now officially engaging SAFA to recover the missing millions.

“Definitely, after we saw the news, the players asked for our assistance,” Hlatshwayo stated. “We reached out to SAFA, and the matter is still new; we are currently in the process of it.”

At the heart of the delay is a reported shift in payment structure. SAFA allegedly moved away from the traditional “match fee” system (R60k for a win) in favour of a performance-based lump sum for the CHAN tournament. While SAFA has previously staggered payments to manage cash flow, the players argue that the six-month wait is an “abuse of power,” especially for those without club salaries.

With the union now at the table, the pressure is on SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao to explain why the CAF funds haven’t reached the players who earned them on the pitch.