Tue Oct 14 16:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

**Corporate Bias Alleged as Bafana Bafana Face World Cup Qualifier**

**Johannesburg, South Africa** – As Bafana Bafana face a crucial World Cup qualifier, a stark contrast in corporate support between rugby and football is once again in the spotlight. While retail workers are routinely seen sporting Springbok jerseys, reflecting apparent directives from management, the same enthusiasm is noticeably absent for the national football team.

Critics argue this disparity isn’t accidental, but rather a deliberate strategy by predominantly white-owned corporations to prioritize rugby and cricket, sports historically associated with minority racial groups, even at the school level. This alleged bias starts in education, with funding allocated to these sports in former Model C schools. The effect contributes to an unequal playing field, where football, despite its widespread popularity, is starved of resources and left vulnerable to administrative issues and alleged corruption within SAFA.

The lack of investment perpetuates a damaging narrative, critics contend, that equates white-dominated sports with excellence and Black-dominated football with mediocrity. Examples cited include the willingness of corporations to intervene in governance issues within rugby and cricket, or even to fund political campaigns like #ZumaMustFall, while remaining conspicuously absent in addressing issues at SAFA. The article questions why a similar campaign, #JordaanMustFall, couldn’t be funded to remove corrupt figures at SAFA, and lead to investment in football as in rugby and cricket.

The article highlights the impact of such policies on football, by drawing examples from sponsorships received and team performances. The author is not surprised at the possibility of Bafana failing to qualify for the World Cup, arguing it would reflect a system designed to undermine the sport’s potential.

The debate underscores the urgency of radical economic transformation, critics say, to address systemic inequalities and create a fairer environment for all sporting codes.

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