Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams boarding to Mexico. (Bafana Bafana/X)
Another year, another South African Football Association (Safa) admin headache.
Bafana Bafana’s trip to Mexico for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations has been delayed by visa issues, disrupting what should be a feel-good moment. It’s South Africa’s first trip to the World Cup since hosting in 2010.
The timing is not ideal. Every lost day matters when the team is preparing in unfamiliar conditions ahead of appearing on football’s biggest stage.
Instead of focusing on the football, fans are once again asking whether Safa’s off-field problems are starting to trip Bafana up on the pitch.
