SAFA - The African Mirror

Nov

2023

South Africa withdraw bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup

SOUTH Africa has withdrawn their bid to host the Women's World Cup in 2027, the Football Association (SAFA) said. South Africa was among four bids confirmed by FIFA but the country will instead focus on submitting a bid for the 2031 tournament. "We felt that it was better to present a well-prepared bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and ensure we put our best foot forward, rather than producing a rushed presentation," SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said on the FA's official website. The remaining candidates are a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, one from Brazil and another joint…

Jul

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa FA resolve dispute with Women’s World Cup squad

FOOTBALL

THE South Africa Football Association (SAFA) said a pay dispute with its Women's World Cup squad had been resolved after a charity stepped in with a "humble donation". The team, known by their nickname 'Banyana Banyana', had been due to face Botswana in a friendly on Sunday as a send-off to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. But with the squad locked in a dispute with SAFA over bonus payments and contracts for the showpiece event, a shadow national side including a 13-year-old took the field instead. SAFA said an amicable resolution had been reached following a donation from the Motsepe…

Jul

2023

By MARK GLEESON

Africa have more teams but not increased hopes at World Cup

FOOTBALL

MORE African teams at an expanded Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this year might mean more chance of improved results for the vast continent, but realistically they may be lucky to do much more than get past the first round. There will be four African countries in the 32-team field, up from three in the last two editions. But Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia are not expected to make anything like the impact that Morocco did at the men’s tournament in Qatar last year when they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals.…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Bafana Bafana coach fired after failing to qualify for AFCON

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African Football Association (SAFA) has fired coach Molefi Ntseki after the team failed to qualify for the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon. The national football team - Bafana Bafana - lost 0-2 to Sudan in a match which they needed just a point to qualify for the AFCON. SAFA CEO Teboho Motlanthe announced that SAFA’s national executive committee met this morning and agreed, throught a vote, to terminate Ntseki’s contract. Motlanthe said he, as head of administration, would attend to all the legalities associated with the decision to part ways with the national coach. He…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

First-ever Bafana and Banyana Supporters Club in the Middle East launched

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African Football Association (SAFA) and the South Africans in Qatar (SAIQ) community group today officially launched and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the first Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana Supporters’ Club in the Middle East. The announcement made in Johannesburg and Doha today – exactly two years to the day before the kickoff of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – was attended by SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, Qatar Football Association General Secretary, Mansoor Al Ansari, and South Africa’s Ambassador to Qatar, HE Faizel Moosa. The MoU is part of…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

South African billionaire to run for CAF presidency

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER PATRICE Motsepe, one of Africa’s billionaire club owners is on a mission to become the most powerful man in African football. Motsepe, the businessman who owns Mamelodi Sundowns, has emerged as a strong contender for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). His candidacy is supported by the South African Football Football Association (SAFA) as well as the South African government. Motsepe will take on the current CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, who dethroned the football strongman Issa Hayatou, of Cameroon, three years ago and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast. The elections are scheduled to take…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

South African National Team announce new kit sponsor and season kit

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African National Football team - Bafana Bafana - have a new kit sponsor in Le Coq Sportif. The French Sportswear brand replaces the team’s long-time sponsors Nike after the American brand's deal with the South African Football Association (SAFA) ended in 2019. https://twitter.com/lecoqsportif_sa/status/1313040041078403072 “We are delighted to have entered into a long-term partnership with SAFA as the new technical sponsor for the national teams. We have made no exception with regards to the quality and standard of the new kit as we take pride in the men and women who represent the country on the…