THE POSTPONEMENT of Bafana Bafana’s trip to Mexico, to start preparations for the World Cup, may hamper the plans of the coach of the national team, Hugo Broos.
Bafana’s road to Mexico, Canada and the United States of America (USA) has encountered an unexpected problem due to an “error affecting” the misunderstanding of the documents that allow certain Bafana players and officials to enter the countries where the tournament will be played starting in 10 days.
Bafana should have turned their backs on South Africa yesterday (Sunday) morning, but it happened because there was a problem with the visas of some players and officials that were reported to be unintentional.
According to SABC reports, Bafana did not travel due to a “mistake” by Safa, which was supposed to ensure that all travel documents were ready.
Bafana will be based in Pachuca, Mexico, and will need at least a few days for the players to get used to the weather there.
On Friday, Bafana have a friendly match against Jamaica in this city (Pachuca) but as we went to publish this report, this team is still in Mzansi and their chances are starting to fade.
Safa confirmed yesterday that the travel plans have been disrupted and that Bafana will continue to camp in Johannesburg.
“Senior officials of Safa will meet urgently to discuss the postponement of the trip, but the organization promises that everything will be fine by going to Mexico without too much damage in terms of time,” said a Safa statement.
This interruption of Bafana’s trip destroys almost everything that Broos had planned for the things he wanted his team to do before the opening game of the World Cup against the host Mexico on June 11 at Azteca Stadium, New Mexico.
Bafana have been placed in Group A with Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Talking about a ‘mistake’, Bafana almost went to the World Cup following the negligence of Safa who played Teboho Mokoena on a penalty kick.
Before the chaos during the trip, Broos had issued a warning to the fans of his team not to look for gold and silver in Relebohile Mofokeng in this tournament because he is young and his level is not enough to carry the trust of the nation on his shoulders in the World Cup.
“He has talent even though he still has a lot to grow in, but his quality does not mean that the whole of South Africa should put its hopes in Mofokeng,” said Broos after the 0-0 draw with Nicaragua last Friday at the Orlando Amstel Arena, Soweto.