South Africa’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) captain, Neo Maema, has publicly revealed that players from the national squad that competed in the 2025 CHAN tournament are still awaiting their promised payments, more than six months after the competition ended — a delay he says has left the squad frustrated and financially strained.
Maema, speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified, confirmed that neither he nor his teammates have received the bonuses and allowances promised to them by the South African Football Association (SAFA), despite assurances that funds received from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in October 2025 would be distributed before December.
“As the captain, I can testify that they have not paid,” Maema said, expressing his disappointment at the continued delay and the lack of clarity from football authorities. He added that the squad has only been met with “empty promises” from SAFA as players — many of whom were without club contracts at the time of the tournament — continue to wait for funds they were told would arrive around the festive season.
Maema, who currently plays on loan at Tanzanian club Simba SC but remains contracted to Mamelodi Sundowns, highlighted that the delayed payments are more than a matter of principle, noting the financial vulnerability of CHAN players who rely on these bonuses to support themselves and their families.
The unpaid fees pertain to South Africa’s participation in the African Nations Championship, which took place in August 2025 and featured teams composed primarily of players from domestic leagues. South Africa launched a strong campaign in the tournament, elevating expectations that administrative commitments — such as timely payment of promised fees — would be honoured.
The situation has sparked wider concern among supporters and football stakeholders, prompting calls for SAFA to resolve the matter urgently and demonstrate transparency in handling player welfare and financial obligations. The association has not yet issued a public response to Maema’s comments.
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