SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has sent a message of condolences to the Brazil Football Federation following the tragic air plane accident that killed 71 passengers including players of Brazilian side Chapecoense Football Club in Colombia two days ago.
The team, from the small city of Chapeco, was in the middle of a fairy tale season. It joined Brazil’s first division in 2014 for the first time since the 1970s and made it last week to the Copa Sudamericana final – the equivalent of the Uefa Europa League tournament – after defeating two of Argentina’s fiercest squads, San Lorenzo and Independiente, as well as Colombia’s Junior.
“The South African Football Association (SAFA), the loving South African community and I have learnt with sadness and shock the tragic air plane accident that resulted in the loss of 71 passengers who included the players of Chapecoense Football Club.
“I take this opportunity to extend our condolences and request that you please convey our condolences to the government of Brazil, the City, community and the bereaved families. May the Lord give their families and the people of Brazil strength during this time,” said Dr Jordaan in a message sent to the Brazil Football Federation.
“We wish the six people who survived the air crash swift recovery and hope they will get well soon,” added Dr Jordaan.