Safa, SABC reach agreement

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 10, Thulani Serero, Daylon Claasen, Katlego Mphela, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siboniso Gaxa celebrates Tshabalala's goal during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Burkina Faso at Coca Cola Park on August 10, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 10, Thulani Serero, Daylon Claasen, Katlego Mphela, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siboniso Gaxa celebrates Tshabalala's goal during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Burkina Faso at Coca Cola Park on August 10, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

Published Oct 5, 2011

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The SABC will pay R3 million to televise Saturday's crucial Africa Cup of Nations soccer qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Sierra Leone in Nelspruit.

The SA Football Association (Safa), which is the rights holder for all Bafana's continental and international home qualifiers, said it had reached an agreement with the national broadcaster on Wednesday.

In turn, the national football body had agreed to pay R1.2 million in broadcast sponsorship rights on behalf of their sponsors.

"We are delighted that this important match will be shown live on SABC," Safa president Kirsten Nematandani said.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had met both parties after negotiations deadlocked. Mbalula called on Safa and the SABC to move swiftly in signing a long-term contract to eliminate uncertainty in future.

The previous contract between the two bodies expired at the end of March, and the rights were being negotiated on a match-by-match basis.

"Football is our national asset, and we need to ensure that the whole nation can participate in the exciting journey of our national team as they seek to qualify for Afcon 2012 and beyond," Mbalula said. – Sapa

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