South Africa’s journey to the FIFA World Cup has been delayed by one day after visa complications disrupted the team’s scheduled departure.
The squad had originally been due to leave on Sunday for their training base in Pachuca, Mexico, but the flight was postponed as the South African Football Association (SAFA) worked to resolve documentation issues affecting members of the travelling party.
The delay was later confirmed by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who said the team would now depart on Monday via a charter flight.
According to McKenzie, all Bafana Bafana players have now received the necessary visas to travel through the United States, which is required because of their World Cup fixture schedule.
However, some members of the technical and support staff were still awaiting clearance, including an assistant coach, the team doctor, a head of security, and one analyst.
McKenzie confirmed the situation on social media, saying the charter flight would proceed once arrangements were finalised for the remaining officials.
The sports minister strongly criticised the situation, describing it as “embarrassing and grossly unfair” to both players and coaching staff.
He also accused those responsible of making the country “look like fools,” and demanded accountability from SAFA over how the issue was allowed to happen so close to the tournament.
SAFA acknowledged the disruption in a statement, saying the team was unable to travel as planned due to “challenges regarding visas” for certain individuals, but did not provide further details.
The association reportedly held or planned emergency discussions on Sunday to address the logistical breakdown and finalise travel arrangements.
Government departments, including international relations officials, were also drawn into efforts to resolve the matter and ensure the squad could depart without further delay.
Head coach Hugo Broos had previously hoped the team would arrive in Mexico by June 1 to allow adequate time for recovery, jetlag adjustment and acclimatisation to altitude conditions.
Instead, the delayed departure means the squad will arrive slightly later than planned, reducing preparation time ahead of their opening fixture.
Pachuca, South Africa’s initial base, sits at a significantly higher altitude than Johannesburg, adding to the importance of early arrival for conditioning.
South Africa are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign on June 11 against hosts Mexico in Mexico City.
They will also face Jamaica in a pre-tournament friendly in Mexico before the opening match.
In the group stage, Bafana Bafana are set to meet the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, splitting their matches between the United States and Mexico.
The visa delay adds to a growing list of administrative concerns surrounding the team’s World Cup preparations.
During qualification, South Africa were nearly affected by another controversy when a victory over Lesotho was overturned due to the fielding of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena. Despite the setback, they still managed to top their qualifying group by a narrow margin ahead of Nigeria and Benin.
This tournament marks South Africa’s first World Cup appearance since 2010, when the country hosted the competition.
Expectations are high for Bafana Bafana as they return to football’s biggest stage, but the off-field disruptions have raised concerns about organisation and preparation in the final days before kickoff.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
