South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has instructed the South African Football Association to compile a report following the Bafana Bafana visa debacle that made headlines on Saturday.
Widespread media reported that the team had to postpone their departure for Mexico due to unresolved visa issues.
Bafana were supposed to have left OR Tambo International Airport on a chartered flight early on Sunday morning for the Americas.
Reports are that travel arrangements had to be halted as several players were yet to be issued with visas, due to an alleged ‘administrative bungle’.
After being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by 131st-ranked Nicaragua in a friendly international on Friday night at Orlando Amstel Arena, Hugo Broos’ charges were expected to leave the country on Sunday morning.
The setback has now placed immense pressure on the would-be-powers at SAFA to resolve the matter as quickly as possible with Bafana looking to wrap up preparations before the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway next month.
Bafana are scheduled to play a warm-up friendly against the Reggae Boys of Jamaica in Mexico before they take on the World Cup co-hosts in the tournament opener on 11 June.
Mckenzie, who has been very vocal about administrative issues on all sports bodies and codes since taking office in 2024, took to X to lay down an instruction at the SA football body.
“This @SAFA_net travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff,” he said.
“I have informed @SAFA_net that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess. We are being made to look like fools.”
Latest news filtering through from our sources, is that Bafana will now depart Mzansi on Monday night.
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