28 July 2022 – South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan took time out of his busy schedule to wish the youthful Bafana Bafana selection well ahead of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) first round, second leg qualifier against Comoros at Dobsonville stadium on Saturday.
Dr Jordaan’s visit came on a week when SAFA, the nation, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and many other sporting codes are toasting Banyana Banyana following their triumphant campaign at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco.
The SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana were crowned WAFCON champions after beating hosts, Morocco, 2-1 in the final a few days ago.
As coach Helman Mkhalele has assembled a youthful squad with the intentions of building the SA Under-23 squad that is to start with their U-23 AFCON qualifiers to take place later this year, Dr Jordaan stressed that they should take these CHAN qualifiers seriously.
“You have done extremely well winning away from home in the first leg against Comoros,” Dr Jordaan said. “It is now in your hands to finish the job and ultimately qualify for this CHAN tournament. There are players who have only managed four or less caps for Bafana Bafana. You are still young and can work yourself in surpassing those numbers and hopefully earn more caps for Bafana Bafana. The work required in attaining that goal starts now, though you need to do well here and also excel in the upcoming Under-23 qualifiers.”