South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has moved in to clear speculation around the situation in the Bafana Bafana camp ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.
After wrapping up camp at Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, Bafana Bafana flew out of OR Tambo on Wednesday night, bound for Morocco. They are on a mission to reclaim the AFCON title for the first time since 1996, feeling the weight of a nation eager to end nearly three decades without the continent’s ultimate prize.
Having been in camp since December 8, South Africa have been in what looked like a tranquil camp. However, 1996 AFCON winner Doctor Khumalo sparked speculation with remarks suggesting all was not well within the national team.
“Let us continue to do what makes us look best on the field. Let us hope our players are clear-minded, because I heard via the grapevine, the camp is not okay,” Khumalo said on SABC Sport. “So they are still fighting for something. I hope and wish when they get there [to Morocco] everything is resolved.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder made the statement just after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Ghana in an international friendly match at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Also, flaring up rumours of a disjointed camp were captain Ronwen Williams’ utterances on Monday. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper described their camp as “strange and unusual.”
“Obviously, it’s been a strange camp, very stop-start, with players coming in and out for obvious reasons,” said Williams.
“It’s been unusual, but we’ve still managed to get a lot of work done. That’s the most important thing, and I believe the boys are ready for AFCON.”
MCKENZIE CLEARS THE AIR ABOUT BAFANA AFCON CAMP SITUATION
Khumalo and Williams’ statements triggered rumours that there could be a fight over match bonuses between the players and SAFA. However, McKenzie has moved in to clear the air.
“We’re seeing lots of unnecessary, incorrect speculation about AFCON bonuses. Player bonuses have been agreed already, separately from what we as government are giving,” said McKenzie.
“Right now, all we need is to rally behind the players and the team. We’re winning this [AFCON] cup.”
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