Safa seeks answers over R700,000 in Bafana Bafana World Cup spending

South African Football Association (Safa) has given retiring Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka until the end of August to provide receipts for R700,000 allocated to him during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The outstanding documentation concerns money provided for the team’s daily sundries while Bafana Bafana were in camp during the tournament. Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo told Parliament’s portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture that Tseka had not yet accounted for the full amount.

Hluyo said Tseka’s contract ended on 31 July, but he had asked to remain involved for several more weeks so he could search for missing invoices and complete the reconciliation process.

The matter was raised during the committee’s sitting on Tuesday night, when committee member Matsholo Liesbet Mmolotsane questioned why the money had still not been accounted for after the World Cup ended on 19 July.

Safa has agreed to allow Tseka, who has reached retirement age, until the end of August to submit the outstanding receipts. If the issue remains unresolved after that deadline, the association says it will take steps to recover the money.

“Mr Tseka has been disputing the amounts that have not been reconciled. As a team manager we give them money to use when they are with the team, and according to our records, some of those funds have not been reconciled,” Hluyo said.

“He has been disputing that, but he is working even though his contract terminated on July 31. He asked to be allowed a few weeks to look at his records and try to locate whatever invoices he might have misplaced. The reconciliation is being finalised between Safa and Tseka.”

Mmolotsane was not satisfied with the explanation and challenged Safa over the length of time it had taken to resolve the matter.

Hluyo replied: “As I indicated, Mr Tseka asked for a few weeks, so what I can tell the members is that once that period is completed, which is the end of August, we will pursue whatever means available to us to recoup that money.”

The exchange prompted Mmolotsane to accuse Safa of “protecting one another”. She also called for a forensic investigation into the association.

Tseka’s position has already been advertised, according to Safa chief executive officer Lydia Monyepao, confirming that the association is preparing for a change in the team manager’s role.

The financial issue comes as Tseka’s time with Bafana Bafana formally draws to a close. Although his contract expired at the end of July, his temporary continuation has been allowed specifically to deal with the unresolved receipts and finalise the accounting for the funds issued during the tournament.

Safa’s position is that the outstanding amount must either be supported by the required documentation or recovered once Tseka’s additional period ends.