Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe criticised the South African Football Association’s lack of accountability over a Visa delay affecting Bafana Bafana’s preparation for the Fifa World Cup. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
The South African Football Association (Safa) and Bafana Bafana seemed synonymous with administrative blunders, and the visa delay of the national team ahead of their departure for the Fifa World Cup is the latest example.
There is precious little time left before Bafana will be involved in the opening game of the tournament on June 11, and the delay of one day in their travel will almost certainly affect their preparation.
Bafana Bafana were finally seen arriving at their team hotel in Pachuca, about 90km north of Mexico City, on Tuesday.
Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe wanted someone at Safa to take responsibility for the visa issue, but acknowledged that wouldn’t happen.
"It's very normal, and nobody takes responsibility. It's a norm; people are chilling; it's like the football association is other people's home. People continue to make these mistakes, and they are not taking into account the failures," Shongwe told Ongama Gcwabe for SportsBoom.co.za.
"These mistakes shouldn't be happening at an association of that level. I'm so disappointed. Surely somebody must take responsibility, somebody must take the fall for it, without a doubt.”
Though it was essentially a delay of one day for Bafana, that could still be crucial, explained Shongwe.
"Football at this level is very scientific. Football has gone from our times, whereby it was by chance. There is acclimatisation, there are all kinds of preparations that get put into preparing a team going into a tournament like this. Acclimatisation is a massive factor, and that is definitely going to put off the coach's plans," he said.
"With the tournament just a few weeks away, you cannot afford to miss a single hour. You need to be putting your plans in place. If you miss those steps, everything thereafter becomes a chance, and you can't afford that.”
Drawn in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, Korea Republic, and Czechia, Bafana will have their work cut out to finish in the top two to automatically advance. They may have to rely on being one of the eight best third-placed finishers who will also book a ticket to the next round.