By Mark Baber
January 18 – Host nation South Africa kick off their African Cup of Nations campaign on Saturday against Cape Verde with the players refusing to accept any bonuses for their Group A matches unless they qualify.
The players have said they only want to be paid if they get through their group, which also includes Angola and Morocco.
Payment of African players at international tournaments has frequently been controversial with money often being promised to players but not being paid, or on occasion seemingly disappearing. It has become more usual for players to demand wages in advance of participating in major tournaments.
“They said they don’t want to get paid for the first game and they don’t want to get paid for the second game as well, even if they win these matches,” said Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, who believes his team is well prepared and a contender for the championship.
“They said: ‘Let us qualify for the next round (quarterfinals) first’ and then maybe they can get something.”
South Africa were unlucky to lose 1-0 against Norway in a friendly earlier this week.
Reports have suggested the players would be paid R1 million ($113,000) each if they were to go all the way to the final and win the tournament.
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