It has become tradition for the South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr. Danny Jordaan to pay the players a visit ahead of game day. “Bafana Bafana are the hearts and emotions of South African fans and my visit is to remind them of the place they hold within society, the hope they bring and the smiles they’re able to put on the faces of the fans,” mentioned the President.
This qualifier, according to the President is a mammoth task and one that should not be taken for granted, and the association has made every effort to ensure that the team travel safely there and back. “As SAFA we have decided to do our best so that the team delivers their best. They’ll be chartered to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia and leave immediately after the match back home, for them to focus on the job at hand.”
The Bafana Bafana team will also make history. They’ll be the first team to play in front of spectators after an 18 month drought due to Covid-19. “We had a great meeting with the Department of Health who will on Thursday guide the way in how we will achieve this, and do it in a manner that we all still remain safe. It will be marvel to see fans back in the stands,” said the President.
Having the 12th man present is the cherry on top for this World Cup Qualifier and adds an important dimension that has been missing from the game for a long time.