Bafana Bafana’s historic FIFA World Cup run deserved every bit of their heroes’ welcome, despite critics who continue to dismiss one of the greatest achievements in South African football history. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
As I attended the welcome party at OR Tambo International in the early hours of Thursday morning, I was once again struck by the pride and excitement shared by South African football fans as they welcomed Bafana Bafana home after their historic run at the FIFA World Cup.
Hordes of fans packed the international arrivals hall to celebrate the team’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign. Supporters began gathering long before the squad’s scheduled 5.30am arrival, eager to catch a glimpse of the history-making Bafana side.
When the squad finally emerged at around 7.30am, fans gave them a true heroes’ welcome.
Bafana became the first South African team to reach the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup before being cruelly eliminated by co-hosts Canada in stoppage time of their Round of 32 clash on June 28.
