South Africa Football Team Facing Visa Delays for World Cup in Mexico
South Africa's Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, criticised the nation's football association (SAFA) after the national team, Bafana Bafana, faced delays in travelling to Mexico for the World Cup due to visa issues. Mr McKenzie stated that the country was 'being made to look like fools' and demanded 'action must be taken against those responsible for this mess'.
SAFA acknowledged the team 'experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials' but did not provide further details on the administrative failings. The team is scheduled to play a friendly against Jamaica in Mexico on Friday, before their World Cup opening match against co-host Mexico on 11 June.
Following intervention from the government's international relations department, Mr McKenzie confirmed that all players secured permission to travel and were expected to depart on Monday via a chartered flight. However, visas for the 'assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst' remained unresolved.
The squad also required US visas for their second World Cup game against the Czech Republic in Atlanta, Georgia. The Bafana Bafana's last home match, a goalless draw against Nicaragua, extended their winless streak to four games, intensifying scrutiny on their World Cup preparations.
