South Africa awards 9.5 million rand in bonuses to national football teams

The South African Ministry of Sport has announced a total of 9.5 million rand in rewards for the nation’s football teams in recognition of their recent milestones, including qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement marks a celebration of a remarkable period of progress across South African football — from the men’s and women’s senior teams to the youth setups — reflecting a growing sense of national pride and achievement on both the continental and global stage.

Bafana Bafana receive the largest share

Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana have been allocated the largest portion of the bonus pool, amounting to 5 million rand.

The men’s national team has enjoyed a strong run of form, securing qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco while also booking their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Their unbeaten record in the AFCON qualifiers earned particular praise from the government, which said the financial reward serves both as recognition for past performances and motivation ahead of the major tournaments to come.

Recognition for women’s and youth teams

The Ministry of Sport, led by Minister Gayton McKenzie, also ensured that support extended beyond the men’s team, highlighting the importance of investment in women’s football and youth development.

Banyana Banyana, the women’s national team, will receive 1 million rand in recognition of their consistent success and their ambition to claim the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Amajita, South Africa’s U20 side, are also set to receive 1 million rand following their strong showing at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations and their qualification for the U20 World Cup in Chile, where they advanced to the knockout stages.

The Amajimbos, the U17 national team currently competing at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, will receive 500,000 rand for their efforts after a string of impressive results in regional and continental qualifiers.

McKenzie urges private sector to contribute

Minister McKenzie used the occasion to call for increased corporate involvement in supporting national football, urging businesses to match the enthusiasm they have shown for rugby and cricket.

Part of the challenge is staffing and financial support, McKenzie said during his speech.

He appealed to the private sector to “step up and help Bafana Bafana” as they prepare for upcoming international campaigns.

He added that supporting national teams goes beyond sport, contributing to South Africa’s international image, promoting tourism, and helping local players attract attention from overseas clubs.

As the countdown to the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup continues, McKenzie’s message was clear: the success of South African football requires the collective backing of government, business, and fans alike.