The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has shed light on why supporters of Limpopo-based outfits Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City FC are missing from the list of winners for the ‘Mzansi to the World Cup’ competition.
On Tuesday, 5 May 2026, Minister McKenzie officially announced the 16 lucky winners of the initiative at the GCIS offices in Pretoria.
The competition, which garnered thousands of entries nationwide, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for PSL fans to travel to Mexico to support Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The winners will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip by the government to witness South Africa’s national team compete on the global stage for the first time since 2010.
ZERO INTEREST FROM BABINA NOKO AND RISE AND SHINE FAITHFUL
While the department of sport initially intended to ensure fair representation across the domestic football landscape, McKenzie has revealed that not a single entry was recorded from the fanbases of Babina Noko or Rise and Shine.
“It was agreed that we would take one supporter per club. However, there are two clubs that had zero interest: Polokwane City FC and Sekhukhune United,” McKenzie told the media. “No supporter from Sekhukhune United or Polokwane City entered the ‘Mzansi to the World Cup’ lucky fan competition among the thousands of entries we received. There was no one from Polokwane City FC or Sekhukhune.”
EXECUTIVE DECISION BENEFITS ‘THE BIG THREE’: REVEALED GAYTON MCKENZIE
With no entries from the two Limpopo sides, the Minister explained that an executive decision was made to redistribute those vacant spots to the country’s most followed clubs to ensure the full quota of 16 fans was met.
The beneficiaries of this shift were the supporters of the “big three”—Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We then made an executive decision and informed the judges that they should add two extra supporters for Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates,” McKenzie added.
“I did this because those are the most supported teams in South Africa and also have the most interest.”
The 16 winners are now set to begin their preparations for the trip to Mexico, where Bafana will look to make their mark in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Meanwhile, the committee led by McKenzie will select four additional representatives from wildcard entries. This is to maintain fair representation in the 20 fans who will be travelling to the World Cup.
THE 16 PSL CLUB WINNERS NAMES
1. Bonakale Hlengiwe Nzuza [Orlando Pirates]
2. Sebe Thusi [TS Galaxy]
3. Adam Mtombeni [Kaizer Chiefs]
4. Konelo John Tahlo [Siwelele FC]
5. Ndumiso Zondi [AmaZulu FC]
6. Ernest Jacobs [Stellenbosch FC]
7. Hlekulani Kobe [Magesi FC]
8. Happiness Dumakude [Golden Arrows]
9. Vennitious Motswi [Kaizer Chiefs]
10. Obakeng Mokgara [Mamelodi Sundowns]
11. Mamello Constance Makha [Mamelodi Sundowns]
12. Mickey Seroke Mokone [Orbit College FC]
13. Adam Schlosberg [Chippa United]
14. Thaven Pillay [Durban City FC]
15. Salmaan Khan [Richards Bay FC]
16. Tshegofatso Sello [Marino Gallants FC]
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