South Africa’s final World Cup squad has been named in Pretoria. (Photo: X/Bafana Bafana)
The national soccer team, which will participate in the World Cup soccer tournament again for the first time in 16 years, had to postpone their departure abroad on Sunday. This follows after visa problems disrupted the team’s travel plans.
Bafana Bafana was supposed to leave on Sunday morning on board a chartered flight from Johannesburg to Mexico for a training camp. However, the South African Football Association (Safa) confirmed in an official statement on Sunday that there were problems with the documentation.
“The national team was scheduled to leave for Mexico on Sunday morning. However, we experienced serious challenges regarding the visas for some of the players as well as important team officials, which meant that the travel plans had to be adjusted,” Safa said in its statement.
According to the national broadcaster, the SABC, the delay arose because the visas for at least 20 members of the team are still being processed at the American Embassy in Johannesburg. This delay comes just 11 days before the team’s first game. Safa called an emergency meeting for Sunday evening to discuss the situation.
Minister demands action
Gayton McKenzie, the minister of sport, arts and culture, expressed his anger at the situation on platform X on Sunday. He demanded an explanation and said action would be taken against those responsible.
“This whole travel and visa debacle is an enormous embarrassment and it is blatant and grossly unfair to the players and coaches who have worked so hard to get here.
“As a result of this poor administration, we are presented as fools in front of the whole world. I have already demanded an official and thorough explanation of exactly what went wrong here, and I undertake that decisive action will be taken against those responsible for this absolute mess.”
Later in the day, McKenzie announced that most of the visas had been approved, although a few officers were still waiting for theirs.
“I can now confirm that all the players have finally received their visas after a great effort. There are currently only the assistant coach, the team doctor, the head of security and one analyst who are still waiting for their formal clearance. The good news is that the entire traveling party will now leave on Monday to continue their journey,” said the minister.
Matches to come
Bafana Bafana have been placed in Group A for the World Cup with the co-hosts, Mexico, as well as the Czech Republic and South Korea.
They will play in the tournament’s opening game against Mexico on June 11. Then follow the remaining group stage matches against the Czech Republic and South Korea.
The team started its preparation last week with a warm-up match in Soweto against Nicaragua, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Bafana Bafana are also scheduled to play in another friendly match against Jamaica on 5 June.