Organising committee appointed for Bafana admin ahead of World Cup
Bafana and coach Hugo Broos was all smiles when they eventually arrived at OR Tambo airport.
Black News 
Bafana Bafana and coach Hugo Broos were all smiles when they eventually arrived at O.R Tambo International Airport ahead of their departure for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Americas.
They were supposed to leave for Mexico early on Sunday morning, but a visa debacle caused a 30-hour delay.
It’s only 10 days to go to the start of the tournament, and Bafana will have to hit the ground running once they’re in Mexico.
The visa debacle was a hot potato for the South African Football Association.
An emergency meeting was called to discuss the issue. The cash-strapped federation then resolved to strengthen its operational coordination during the FIFA World Cup by appointing two members to assist under-fire team manager, Vincent Tseka.
“We said that Mr Sibam, the HOD Molantoa, Vincent Tseka and the coach will form a committee and will make sure that everything runs according to the book. So, it’s now the responsibility of not one person but four people, including the head coach. We don’t want any problems, we don’t want any difficulties, we don’t want any mishaps as we go into the final stages. So I’m very happy that all of them have worked together; they’ve had many meetings. I had a meeting with them last night. I had the meeting with the coach and the captain, Ronwen Williams, yesterday, and I’m happy; everything is sorted,” says Danny Jordaan, SAFA President.
Jordaan also thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation as well as the United States Consulate for assisting in a speedy resolution.
Although the delay was just more than a day, it has the potential to disrupt the team’s preparations.
They’ll have just more than a week to prepare for an opening match against co-hosts Mexico that will take place at an altitude of 2200 meters and in a completely different time zone.
“Yes, and these ten days will go very quickly. I’m sure of it: once we are there, we start working, focusing on the first game against Mexico, so time will pass very quickly. It’s ten days, but it’s short, but again I think I’m looking forward to playing the game and to start the World Cup,” says Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana Coach.
South African football lovers are also looking forward to the spectacle, hoping for a strong showing from Bafana Bafana.
“I’m happy that they did qualify at least; South Africa has got an opportunity because we had a good 2010 World Cup here, and I think there is a lot of excitement now, so the boys can make it”, said one football fan.
Another Bafana Bafana supporter said, “They must go there to play football for South Africa; we will win. We played Mexico in 2010 in the opening game, and we played 1-1. They must go there and enjoy the football.”
“We are a winning nation, so I can see Bafana Bafana going as far as the semi-final, maybe the final. What I can tell you is we didn’t go by the back door; we qualified straight like in 1998”, said another soccer fan.
Another fan said, “We are here to confirm, just as a surety to say indeed they are departing to Mexico after this debacle, my brother, I’m very proud, and I’m very happy that we can even see the coach and the players; they are here at the airport.”
Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele is the only member of the team still without a valid visa and will travel to Mexico once he’s received it.
