South Africa made to look like fools over World Cup visa issues, says minister

After a day of uncertainty, the government confirms the team will depart for Mexico on Monday. South Africa made to look like fools over World Cup visa issues, says minister Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. South Africa's final home friendly on Friday ended in a 0-0 draw against Nicaragua A South Africa player holds his arms out as he tries to stop a Nicaraguan player from coming up from behind him. South Africa's sports minister has said his nation was "being made to look like fools" after its football team was delayed travelling to Mexico ahead of the World Cup due to visa issues. Gayton McKenzie demanded an explanation from South Africa's football association (Safa) as to why this had happened, adding: "Action must be taken against those responsible for this mess." Safa admitted the team had "experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials" but did not give further details. McKenzie later confirmed all the players had received permission to travel and would be leaving for the international tournament on Monday. National broadcaster SABC described what happened as an "administrative bungle". The team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, are due to face Jamaica in a friendly in Mexico on Friday. They will then play in the World Cup opening match against Mexico, which is co-hosting the competition alongside the US and Canada, on 11 June. "This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff," McKenzie had written on X earlier on Sunday. Shortly after the minister's comments, a brief statement from Safa said it was "working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match". Efforts were made on Sunday to get the team US visas, according to South African news site TimesLive. The Bafana Bafana squad and staff need permission to enter the US as they play their second World Cup game against the Czech Republic in Atlanta, in the US state of Georgia. The government's international relations department was also involved. It seems that the efforts paid off, with McKenzie saying on Sunday evening that a chartered flight would be leaving on Monday with all the players onboard. However visas had not yet been secured for the "assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst", he said. South Africa is one of 10 African nations taking part in the expanded 48-team World Cup. The game against Jamaica will be Bafana Bafana's last chance to get ready for the tournament, which they last appeared at when South Africa hosted the finals in 2010. Their final home match on Friday - a 0-0 draw against Nicaragua that included a missed South African penalty - was described in some reports as "disappointing" and extended their winless run to four games. Burnley striker Foster named in South Africa squad Everything you need to know about the World Cup A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica South Africa's Madlanga Commission hears about Brazilian butt lift bribe denials and alleged drug heists. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is named in South Africa's World Cup squad as the country prepare to play in the tournament finals for the first time since they hosted the 2010 competition. It follows recent protests that have led to fears there could be a resurgence in xenophobic violence. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's party is expected to dominate the election as conflicts overshadow the vote. Filmmaker Meji Alabi directs a landmark BBC Africa Eye documentary about Nigeria's civil war. Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar's kidnapping highlights continuing security challenges facing parts of the country. The medical charity's comments come as the head of the World Health Organization visits the region worst-hit by the virus outbreak. Same-sex acts are punishable by jail terms under Ghana's new bill targeting those identifying as gay, lesbian or transgender.