Lerato Mbhiza
Bafana Bafana landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday after their heroic performance where they finished 3rd at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The team was treated to a hero’s welcome by thousands of fans who came out to see them arrive at the airport from Ivory Coast where the soccer tournament was staged.
This was South Africa’s best finish at the tournament in 24 years, and it sparked adulation and a lot of optimism among soccer fans for the future of football in South Africa.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa who was also at the airport to receive the players described Bafana Bafana as warriors.
“Long live the fighting spirit of Bafana Bafana, thank you very much to our captain, thank you very much to our warriors, thank you very much to all South Africans who came out in your numbers.
“I see a lot of blue, green, and gold, I see a lot of red among you. We want to thank you for supporting and rallying behind this team. This is a bunch of winners, we have revived the spirit of Bafana Bafana, who have brought us hope as a country,” he said.
EFF leader Julius Malema talked about the party’s support for Bafana Bafana and why the crowd at OR Tambo consisted mainly of its supporters.
“As the EFF, We must be stronger together in all sporting codes. It must not be selective and racialised. We showed up in numbers because we knew they were not going to be well-received. Ee must be stronger together in all sports include (soccer) it must not be selective and racialized”
Malema added that the national team needs more talent and change in its leadership. “We need drastic changes in the leadership, we need talent and that talent is hidden in the villages and in townships and suburbs, you need to revive the school sports….school sports has collapsed and therefore once you revive it you’re going to realise that the people you are looking for are actually at that space they are”.
INSIDE POLITICS