Our Viewpoint | Bafana visa debacle

After a qualifying campaign that stretched from November 2023 to October 2025, Hugo Broos and his players earned their place at football’s biggest tournament. Their 3-0 victory over Rwanda secured South Africa’s first World Cup qualification since 2002. The players delivered when it mattered.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie was right to call the situation embarrassing and “grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff”. He was also correct when he said that “we are being made to look like fools”. Indeed we are.

The question is how this happened at all. South Africa qualified for the World Cup more than seven months ago. The host countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — have been known for years.

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In a world where international travel requirements have become increasingly complex, securing visas and making travel arrangements should have been among the first items on the planning checklist. They need to know that every detail has been taken care of and that those entrusted with supporting them are doing their jobs. Safa must provide answers and hold those responsible accountable.

But it cannot stop there. McKenzie may be right to demand a report, but he is ultimately responsible for oversight of the sector. South Africans deserve an apology and a commitment that this will not be repeated.

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