The Siyaya TV pay-TV operator has signed a massive deal extension with the South African Football Association (Safa) giving it the broadcasting rights of all Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana matches for 10 years.
Last month the SABC's famously matricless chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng who has refused to deal with Siyaya TV, apparently lied when he claimed that the SABC had secured broadcasting rights of the national soccer team games on television.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng claimed that the SABC had reached a 3-year agreement over the broadcasting rights to show all local Bafana Bafana games, Banyana Banyana, as well as the men's under-20 and under-23 games.
Pay-TV operator Siyaya TV and SAFA, in a joint statement, said the SABC is lying and that the SABC doesn't have Bafana Bafana TV rights to show any national team football games on television and that no valid contract with the SABC exists.
Now in a new statement SAFA and Siyaya TV in a further joint statement says Siyaya TV has actually extended its broadcasting rights contract to show show all Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana in a new further 10 year deal.
"Following the conclusion of the first year, both parties wish to report that the partnership remains solid and is further strengthened by the ongoing collaborations to enhance it regularly for the benefit of both parties and their brands."
"To this end, SAFA and Siyaya are proud to announce an extension of the original agreement that will now run for a total of 10 years."
"We value the commitment and support from Siyaya over the past year and we look forward to the innovations that Siyaya brings to the table in making the beautiful game accessible to the Rainbow Nation," says Dennis Mumble, SAFA CEO.
Siyaya chairperson, Dr Vuyo Mahlati, says in the statement she is "elated about recent developments which will enhance the relationship between Siyaya and SAFA".
"As a game changer, the extension affords Siyaya TV the space to advance the offering with digitalised innovation and partnerships that benefit the customer. For us football is always about people, access, quality and affordability," says Dr Vuyo Mahlati.
