According to the SABC, the national team’s charter flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Mexico City has been delayed after at least 20 members of the travelling delegation – the majority of them players – are still awaiting visa processing at the United States Embassy in Johannesburg.
It is also understood that one or two members of the technical staff have had visa applications declined, with SAFA working urgently to resolve the situation.
Hugo Broos had been hoping to maximise preparation time ahead of South Africa’s first World Cup appearance since 2010.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao recently confirmed a practice match against Jamaica on 5 June has been arranged as part of the team’s base camp preparations in Pachuca, Mexico.
The delay adds to a growing list of administrative challenges that have followed the national team in recent years. Most notably, Teboho Mokoena’s suspension blunder during World Cup qualifying ultimately cost Bafana three points after FIFA docked them for fielding the ineligible midfielder against Lesotho.
Despite those setbacks, South Africa qualified impressively – finishing top of their group ahead of Nigeria, Benin, Lesotho, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Bafana open their World Cup campaign against hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
