SHOW THE WOMEN THE MONEY

The time has come for Banyana Banyana to be remunerated fairly, and on parity with their male counterparts.

Photos: BackpagePix By: Eshlin Vedan

BANYANA Banyana captain Refiloe Jane has indicated that putting individualism aside and focusing on teamwork was the key to her side winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

The South African women’s national team claimed their first-ever continental crown following a 2-1 win over Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

“Coach Desiree Ellis always emphasises the importance of teamwork. This is the best camp we had where we wanted to win for one another. We got this far because we worked together as a team,” said Jane, who shared the captain’s armband with veteran defender Janine van Wyk and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini throughout the tournament.

“Being the leader is from a combination of hard work, sacrifice, and we don't disregard the hard work other people have put forward,” Jane said.

“Having different leaders in the team meant a lot. It’s not a one-man show. And I think you saw, too, when we went to lift the trophy, there were three of us as captains. So it’s a collective effort, not a one-man show.

LEFT: Refiloe Jane of South Africa during the Banyana Banyana V&A Waterfront ticket handout.

“The feeling was a relief after we had tried to win the tournament all these years. It was emotional. I was excited and overwhelmed. I could not believe that we got to where we are today,” added Jane.

The AC Milan star was instrumental as the engine of the Banyana team, but she now hopes winning Wafcon will place greater emphasis on equal pay for the women’s national team.

Banyana have not only won the continental showpiece now, but they have also qualified for successive Fifa Women’s World Cups – in 2019 and again next year in New Zealand and Australia.

Bafana Bafana – the men’s team – last qualified for a Fifa World Cup back in 2002, with participation only guaranteed in 2010 due to South Africa being the hosts.

But yet the women’s side continues to be paid less than Bafana Bafana.

“All these years we’ve been pushing and fighting for change, and you can see the strides women's football has been taking,” Jane said.

“And also the successes for the clubs and for the national team. So we kept on doing our job and hoping we can get the recognition we deserve. And also hoping with this win that things are going to change back home with regards to women's football.”

RIGHT: The three Banyana Banyana captains Andile Dlamini (left), Refiloe Jane (centre) and Janine van Wyk (right) lift the Wafcon trophy together.