As Bafana Bafana, the South African national football team, prepares for its final FIFA World Cup group-stage match against the Republic of Korea on Thursday morning, the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) is pursuing a different goal off the pitch: turning fan passion into a digital business.

Through a blockchain-based fan token launched in May on Socios.com, SAFA is banking on supporters becoming participants in a year-round digital economy. The move places Bafana Bafana alongside national teams such as Argentina, Portugal and Italy, all of which have embraced fan tokens as part of broader digital engagement strategies.

The national football team is betting that supporters are worth more than television audiences and matchday tickets. Through a blockchain-based fan token, SAFA is attempting to build a digital economy around Bafana Bafana.

“This partnership represents a new chapter in SAFA’s journey into Web3, blockchain and Fan Tokens, to reward exclusive experiences to our passionate fans not only across South Africa but also as we grow our fan base globally,” SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said at the launch. “Through this collaboration, we are exploring innovative ways for fans to be part of the team’s global journey.”

The $SAFA Fan Token is built on the Chiliz Chain, a blockchain network developed specifically for the sports and entertainment industry. Supporters can acquire the token through the Socios.com app by creating and verifying an account, purchasing Chiliz’s native cryptocurrency, CHZ, and exchanging it for $SAFA tokens.

Once acquired, the tokens are stored in an in-app wallet and can be used to vote in official fan polls, earn rewards, access exclusive content, unlock matchday experiences, and redeem merchandise. Holders can also trade the tokens on…