ALTHOUGH Bafana Bafana’s deputy head coach, Helman Mkhalele, has finally received permission to follow the national team, but it seems that he will arrive at the start of preparations for the final World Cup qualifier in this country against Jamaica on Friday at 9pm in Pachuca, Mexico.
Mkhalele and Mduduzi Mbatha, the head of security for Bafana, did not go with the team that turned its back on South Africa on Monday.
These are the only ones left, Bafana was supposed to leave at dawn on Sunday but the trip was postponed following the revelation that there were more than 20 visa holders who did not have the necessary permits to enter Mexico, Canada and the United States of America (USA) which are the host countries for the tournament which starts on June 11.
The understanding of the visa of Mkhalele and Mbatha, who went there yesterday, was confirmed by the president of the South African Football Association (Safa), Danny Jordaan when he spoke to the SABC.
“It is a pleasure for me to confirm that Wednesday (today) will end and our national team will be reunited following the understanding of Mkhalele and Mbatha’s visas,” said Jordaan.
“Thank you to the people of Mzansi for bearing with us, we also thank you for standing up to those we have been communicating with in the relevant offices in the USA and Mexico.
“The disruption has happened and gone, so the team has a good chance to organize themselves before the start of the tournament.”
Although it cannot be denied that the wasted day Bafana went to Johannesburg because of the visas was needed, but the news of Mkhalele’s arrival on the day Jamaica’s plans begin should relieve those who were surrounded by doubts.
Bafana will train for the first time today in Pachuka.
Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, left on Monday and told the media that he will try a lot in the Jamaica game but he will not play Aubrey Modiba because he is waiting for a big game against Mexico. Mkhalele’s arrival is no question that it will reduce the burden on the Belgian coach who will leave after the World Cup.
Bafana have been placed in Group A with South Korea and the Czech Republic.
This national team, which is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, will open against Mexico on June 11 at Azteca Stadium, Mexico City.
This stadium has a long history in the World Cup as it will be the first to host three competitions separately.
Another part of the history of the World Cup at this stadium where Bafana will play is that it is the only one where Pele from Brazil and Diego Maradona from Argentina have won the world title.
After the Mexico game, Bafana will play the Czech Republic on June 18 before closing Group A with South Korea in the top 25.