Banyana Banyana sponsors Sasol have confirmed that its sponsorship agreement with the South African Football Association SAFA, which included support for the senior womens national team as well as the semi-professional Sasol League, has come to an end.
The 16-year partnership officially ended at midnight on the 30th of June and is potentially a crippling blow to womens football in the country.
Sasol says its awaiting feedback from SAFA regarding the terms of a potential renewal but until an agreement is reached, they no longer hold the rights to associate with Banyana Banyana and the Sasol League. Sasol did not want to confirm or deny whether there are any conditions attached to them agreeing to a deal.
The petroleum company has been synonymous with womens football in South Africa for almost two decades. And the journey Banyana Banyana and Sasol embarked on in 2009 has been a long and productive one.
Banyana played in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and two Olympic Games in the 16 years. Banyana were also crowned Womens Africa Cup of Nations champions in 2022 for the first time after 13 attempts.