23 September 2021 – SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has lauded the crucial role played by the sponsors that has seen women football grow in leaps and bounds lately.
Speaking after Banyana Banyana put on a scintillating show to dismantle the Super Falcons of Nigeria 4-2 to win the inaugural Aisha Buhari Cup, Dr Jordaan said years of cooperation between SAFA and the sponsors plus hard work from the players and the technical staff were beginning to bear fruits.
The SAFA President said by beating the top ranked side on the continent, and in their backyard, means Banyana Banyana were now the undisputed queens of the continent.
‘’When you defeat the champion, it means the victor is the new champion. Banyana Banyana have proved that South Africa are the new undisputed champions of Africa and they fully deserve the title,’’ said Dr Jordaan.
But all this would not have been possible without the support of women football sponsors, SASOL and Hollywood Bets who are bankrolling the Hollywoodbets Super League.
‘’SASOL has been with women football for almost time immemorial and as SAFA, we need to applaud them for putting their money where their mouth is. They have been the rock on which the women football foundation is built. All the achievements we are enjoying today would not have been possible without the solid support from SASOL.’’
Dr Jordaan praised Hollywood Bets for sponsoring the Hollywoodbets Super League, the professional wing of women football, a first on the African continent.
‘’I have no words to describe how much we appreciate the support given to women’s football by Hollywood Bets and we hope we will walk together in this bright path for years to come as the journey is beginning to bear enjoyable fruits,’’ said Dr Jordaan.
He said since the inception of the Super League, over 30 women footballers were now plying their trade overseas where most were earning a solid income, with some competing in the UEFA Champions League.
And only six of those scattered with top clubs overseas took part in the Aisha Buhari Cup.
‘’Even the FIFA delegation that attended the match were left speechless by the performance of Banyana Banyana. The swagger and swashbuckling performance has made us believe we can go a long way in next year’s FIFA World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. This team has given us massive hope,’’ said Dr Jordaan.
And there is no time for Banyana Banyana to relish their win in Nigeria.
Next week, they are off to Nelson Mandela Bay to start their defence of the COSAFA Cup title they have won in the past four years.