When it comes to sports administrators, they don’t come more wily or experienced than Danny Jordaan. The former Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was instrumental in ensuring that South Africa won the hosting rights for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and currently serves as President of the South African Football Association.
As a member on the International Marketing Council, he understands the value that a solid AFCON campaign can have on our country’s image, and that players must be suitably rewarded for their progression through the tournament.
Jordaan highlighted the fact that the expectation of SAFA and national government was that Bafana would progress to the Round of 16 at the very least, whereby each squad member earned a bonus of R320 000. For the group games themselves, a win bonus of only R60 000 was available, showing just how much the nation’s governing body values knockout football.
Not only was it a fantastic sporting achievement, but by shocking Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium, the players pocketed a further sum that brought their total win bonuses to R520 000 for reaching the quarter-final stages.
Losing to Nigeria in the final eight was a heart-breaking footballing result that brought many a hardened football fan to tears, but it also held monetary significance for the players themselves. At this stage, they were well aware of the R920 000 carrot that was dangled by SAFA, if the team managed to go all the way and lift the iconic trophy.
BAFANA’S AFCON BONUS BREAKDOWN
Reaching Last 16: R320 000 (achieved)
Reaching Quarterfinals: R520 000 (achieved)
Reaching Semi-final: R670 000
Champions: R920 000
