Bafana Bafana visa crisis resolved before the World Cup

The South African team participating in the World Cup left for Mexico on Monday, one day later than scheduled, due to a delay in obtaining visas.

The mission was scheduled to depart on Sunday, but the flight was postponed at the last minute after it became clear that four members of the crew did not have entry visas, according to the South African Football Association.

An airport official said that the team traveled on a chartered plane, heading to a training camp in preparation for its match against Mexico on June 11, as part of the opening match of the tournament.

The Confederation explained in a statement: “Although the delay in visas led to the team losing a valuable day from the travel and preparation program, the African Union is satisfied that the problem has been largely resolved, and that the team’s plans for the World Cup are still progressing steadily.”

“The African Union apologizes to the nation for these unexpected travel delays,” he added.

The delay was met with strong criticism, with Deputy Sports Minister Bess Mabe describing the matter as “shocking and embarrassing”, in a statement to local broadcaster ENCA.

She said: “This could negatively affect the mentality and morale of the players. Ras must bear responsibility for this matter.”

The South African national team is popularly known as “Bafana Bafana”, and it competes in Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea.

The national team tied 0-0 with Nicaragua in a friendly match held in Soweto on Friday, and is scheduled to face Jamaica in another friendly match on June 5.