Senegal’s national women’s football team, the Lionesses, are yet to receive the bonuses and financial rewards owed to them for their performance at the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a delay that has caused mounting frustration within the squad.
Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they were narrowly eliminated by defending champions South Africa on penalties (0-0, 4-1), the players have not been compensated for their efforts.
According to information obtained, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had already disbursed $200,000 (approximately 113.5 million CFA francs) to the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) as prize money for Senegal’s campaign.
The 13th edition of the Women’s AFCON, eventually won by Nigeria, saw the Lionesses deliver a commendable performance, rekindling hopes for the future of women’s football in Senegal.
However, the joy of their achievement has been overshadowed by the prolonged wait for bonuses, with each player reportedly due 13 million CFA francs.
The funds remain in the possession of the FSF, caught in administrative limbo amid the federation’s ongoing leadership transition.
Several players, speaking on condition of anonymity, have voiced their disappointment over the handling of the situation.
We worked hard to represent our country with pride, but this wait is disheartening. We don’t even know who is responsible for resolving this—whether it’s the outgoing federation leadership or the incoming team, said one player.
Sources within the FSF have confirmed the delay in disbursement but refrained from offering any official explanation or timeline for the payments.
The silence has only fueled the players’ frustration, as this is not an isolated incident.
Delays in bonus payments have been a recurring issue for the Lionesses.
Prior to departing for the AFCON, each player was given one million CFA francs, but since then, no further payments have been made.
The players also highlight that they received no financial reward for their qualification to the final of the UFOA/A Tournament held in Mauritania in May.
The lack of clear communication from the FSF has left the players in the dark, questioning whether their efforts on the pitch are truly valued.
As the federation undergoes a change in leadership, the Lionesses are left hoping that the new administration will prioritize settling the outstanding payments and address the chronic issue of unpaid bonuses once and for all.
For now, the team’s impressive performances continue to be marred by administrative shortcomings that risk undermining morale and motivation among Senegal’s most dedicated athletes.
