Victorious Banyana receive R5.8 million bonus, but cries for equal pay grow louder

In the midst of the sea of green and gold that enveloped Banyana Banyana at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, South Africa's Women's Africa Cup of Nations' winners also received a significant financial boost.

This was in the form of R5.8 million injection from Sports, Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa as the continental conquerors were welcomed with open arms by a jubilant crowd in Kempton Park.

South Africa, coached by Desiree Ellis and captained on the field by Refiloe Jane, beat Morocco 2-1 in Rabat on Saturday to claim their first ever Wafcon title after five failed finals.

RECAP | Banyana Banyana Afcon winning coach Ellis hails 'amazing, incredible team'

Next to the bonus, cries for equal pay have also got louder as the pay disparity between men's and women's football remains a divisive topic.

Sports, Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa said at the arrival gathering that moves are afoot to sort out the pay disparity between men's and women's football.

"It is going to be a law in this country that Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana will be paid equally," Mthethwa said.

"We are making that decision as the government. It's not only Banyana Banyana but all the women's teams [to be paid equally], we are supporting them as government.

"We've said to SAFA that when we give SAFA money they need to put a sum aside for women in general."

The cash injection from the sports ministry will add onto the R9.2 million the players were already promised by South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan before their departed on their successful Moroccan conquest.

The sports department cash means the total pot Banyana will split is R15 million, meaning each player stands to take home around R577 000 each.

GALLER