History-making Banyana Banyana players are set to receive a guaranteed R1.1 million each, as things are, on top of what they already have, as per the promises made prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Banyana have progressed to the Last 16 of the competition after finishing second in Group G and behind Sweden, following their hard-fought 3-2 win over Italy on Wednesday morning (South African time).
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An own goal from Benedetta Orsi, as well as strikes from Hildah Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana were enough to send Desiree Ellis' side to the next stage of the prestigious competition.
Having won all their matches, Sweden finished on nine points and top of the standings, with Banyana in second place with four points from a win, a draw and loss in their three matches.
Prior to the start of the tournament, it was confirmed from FIFA that each and every player from the 732 that are there was guaranteed to take home in the region of $30,000 (R572,000) for participating in the global showpiece.
The overall prize money allocated for all teams is $110 million (R2.1 billion) and from there the win bonuses will be increasing for each player as the tournament progresses and their respective teams potentially advance to the next rounds.
It was further announced that for each of the players whose teams will have advanced to the Last 16, the prize money would increase to $60 000 (R1.14 million), which is a stage that Banyana have now qualified for.
Before leaving Mzansi, the Motsepe Foundation, which belongs to Confederation of African Football (CAF) president and Mamelodi Sundowns boss Patrice Motsepe and his wife Precious Motsepe, pledged funds to Banyana to resolve the bonuses' dispute which affected the team's final preparations.
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Following successful negotiations, an agreement was reached that each player would receive a R230 000 bonus in addition to the money from FIFA, as confirmed by the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU).
It has been the second time that Banyana have qualified for the Women's World Cup and it's the first time that they have progressed out of the group stages.
