South Africa postpones journey to Mexico for World Cup resulting from visa points

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — South Africa’s nationwide males’s soccer staff has postponed its journey to Mexico due to visa points, simply 11 days forward of the World Cup.

Bafana Bafana had been supposed to depart for Mexico on Sunday to start out its preparations for the event. The staff is about to play co-host Mexico within the opening sport in Mexico City on June 11.

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had referred to as the scenario “embarrassing” however stated in a while X that the staff would now be departing on Monday.

“All @BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst,” McKenzie said. “The charter will leave tomorrow.”

Visa challenges

“The South African senior men’s national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned,” the South African Football Association stated in a press release earlier Sunday.

“SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match of the global tournament,” the assertion stated.

The staff will proceed to coach in Johannesburg, South Africa, till departure. SAFA stated it might present an replace on the scenario after an emergency assembly on Sunday night.

South Africa additionally faces the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A.

___

AP World Cup protection: