Captain of South Africa’s CHAN squad, Neo Maema, has revealed that players are still waiting to receive their promised payments six months after the tournament concluded.
Speaking to Metro FM, Maema, who is currently on loan at Tanzanian club Simba SC, expressed frustration over the delay, noting that many squad members were unemployed at the time and reliant on the funds.
“Yeah, no, they haven’t paid. And from me being the captain, I can testify that they haven’t paid,” Maema said, highlighting the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the payments.
The CHAN tournament, held in August 2025, saw South Africa make a strong impression despite fielding a squad composed largely of unattached players.
The squad’s performances drew praise, yet the off-field issues have cast a shadow over the team’s achievements.
According to Maema, the South African Football Association (SAFA) received the tournament funds from CAF in October 2025 and assured the squad that payments would be made before December, in time for the festive season.
“That was the reason we also gave them — that we have to have money at least for December,” he explained.
Despite these assurances, six months have passed, and players reportedly remain unpaid. The delay has been particularly frustrating given that SAFA has simultaneously negotiated additional funding for the senior Bafana Bafana team’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco, raising questions about the prioritisation of resources.
Maema’s comments have sparked wider concern among fans and football stakeholders, highlighting ongoing challenges in player welfare and administrative transparency within South African football.
The situation underscores the financial vulnerability of many CHAN players, who often rely on these payments to support themselves and their families.
