By Sports Reporter
South Africa’s sports minister has said his nation was “being made to look like fools” after its football team was delayed travelling to Mexico ahead of the World Cup due to visa issues.
Gayton McKenzie demanded an explanation from South Africa’s football association (Safa) as to why this had happened, adding: “Action must be taken against those responsible for this mess.”
Safa admitted the team had “experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials” but did not give further details.
McKenzie later confirmed all the players had received permission to travel and would be leaving for the international tournament on Monday.
National broadcaster SABC described what happened as an “administrative bungle”.
The team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, are due to face Jamaica in a friendly in Mexico on Friday.
They will then play in the World Cup opening match against Mexico, which is co-hosting the competition alongside the US and Canada, on 11 June.
“This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff,” McKenzie had written on X earlier on Sunday.
