Pay Bafana or be fired’: Zungu’s explosive SAFA election warning

SAFA presidential candidate Sandile Zungu has issued a strong ultimatum to the association’s executives over the delayed payment of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup bonuses, warning those responsible could lose their jobs if the money is not paid.

Zungu, who is the president and owner of AmaZulu FC, has questioned why players and members of the technical team have allegedly been left waiting for money they were contractually promised after their historic 2026 World Cup campaign.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Johannesburg, Sandton, the businessman has given the parties responsible until the 10th of September to rectify these issues or face possible dismissal if he takes to office.

“These are people who kept up awake at night because they were flying our flag high and it’s public knowledge that they were going to receive incentives, it is known to the public so why a month after it was supposed to have been received, they’re now begging for what belongs to them,” he said.

Bafana reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, securing a significant financial windfall for the South African Football Association.

SAFA confirmed it received R218 million from FIFA after South Africa progressed from the group stage, while a further R41 million was received as a tournament preparation allocation.

Under an agreement reached before the tournament, 50% of the World Cup earnings was allocated to the players and technical team. The players’ share has been reported at approximately R65 million.

SAFA has said the remaining money will be used for football development and administration, with more than R100 million earmarked for projects across the football ecosystem.

But for Zungu, the development plans cannot come at the expense of players receiving money they have already earned.

“Why are we treating our athletes with such disrespect, in my opinion it’s actually embarrassing. If something is contracted, there must be no debates, it must be in your account, you’ve earned it.”

The AmaZulu boss has now made the issue part of his campaign to unseat incumbent SAFA president Danny Jordaan at Saturday’s elective congress.

“So on that money note, I’m laying down the gauntlet on the executives of SAFA right now, if that money is not in bank accounts of Bafana players and the technical team by close of business on Thursday, when I walk into that office, those that are culpable for this injustice, will account when I move into that office, they will consider themselves fired,” said Zungu.

Zungu’s comments come as his campaign gains momentum ahead of the September 12 election. He was formally cleared to challenge Jordaan after SAFA’s governance committee confirmed both presidential candidates were eligible to contest the election.

The bonus dispute gives Zungu another opportunity to draw a sharp contrast between his proposed leadership and the current administration, with accountability and governance among the key themes of his campaign.

They want what they were promised — and Zungu wants SAFA’s executives to make sure they get it.