President Cyril Ramaphosa has laid down the ultimate incentive for Bafana Bafana ahead of their departure for North America, promising the nation a day off if Hugo Broos' men lift the trophy on 19 July. Photo: Backpagepix
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Bafana Bafana to make the most of their return to the Fifa World Cup next month, while promising the nation a public holiday should the team win the tournament.
Ramaphosa hosted Bafana Bafana for a send-off dinner ahead of the global showpiece, which will be held in Mexico, the US and Canada next month, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, coach Hugo Broos used the occasion to announce his final 26-man squad, trimming the preliminary 32-player list. Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane, Thapelo Morena, Patrick Mswanganyi, Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Lebohang Maboe were among those omitted. In his keynote address, Ramaphosa said the country’s 62 million people were united behind Broos’ squad ahead of the World Cup and urged the players to seize the opportunity.
“History has presented this generation of Bafana Bafana with a rare opportunity: to rise again and reclaim South Africa’s place among the elite in world football. So, we ask you to do one thing: seize the moment. This is your moment, and South Africa’s moment,” Ramaphosa said.
