The Bafana Bafana 2010 Legends who were in Mexico are broken-hearted and feel disregarded after they had to travel back to South Africa having not seen or visited the national team players who are participating in the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The legends felt disregarded that in the 10 days that they spent in Mexico for the exhibition match, they were snubbed by Safa after their request to visit the Bafana team fell on deaf ears. The legends thought that being in Mexico, with the Bafana hotel just down the road, was the perfect opportunity for a meet and greet, and to give the World Cup players some motivation. The legends were also hoping to see the Jamaica friendly international but that did not materialise as Safa opted to play the match behind closed doors.
The 2010 legends played in an exhibition match against their Mexico counterparts in what was a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening match.
The commemoration match was played in front of a full house at the Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca, where Hugo Broos and his team are camping.
The SA legends’ excursion was organised by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, and not by Safa.
A bulk of the players who played in the 2010 World Cup opening match under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira were chosen for the excursion.
The list includes Bafana luminaries such as Siphiwe “Shabba” Tshabalala, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Itumeleng Khune, Steven Pienaar, Surprise Moriri, Siboniso Gaxa, Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane, Bernard Parker, Tsepo Masilela, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bongani Khumalo and Lucas Thwala.
The SA legends were given a rousing welcome at the match and they feel they were treated better by the locals, with the Mexicans jostling for Tshabalala’s autographs and famous No 8 jersey after the match. Tshabalala scored the famous long-range cracker at the FNB Stadium. South African Masters and Legends Football Association president and Safa NEC member Bhudda Mathathe requested a visit to the Bafana camp, which did not materialise.
Mathathe and the legends feels that it would have been a great opportunity to give the Bafana players some motivation during their stay, especially ahead of the opening match which South Africa lost by 2-0.
Reads the request from Mathathe to Safa president Danny Jordaan: “The Legends are flying back to South Africa tomorrow afternoon [last Friday]and it will be grossly unfair to the current Bafana Bafana not to be given an opportunity to see their heroes. The legends just wish to pep up, encourage, inspire and motivate the Team before leaving. Hoping and trusting that I am not asking too much as an NEC Member.”
Said former Orlando Pirates stalwart defender Siyabonga “Nsimbi” Sangweni: “It was painful for myself and the other legends not see or meet the team, considering that they were just down the road. We were in Mexico to support and motivate them.”
- The Bafana Bafana 2010 Legends who were in Mexico are broken-hearted and feel disregarded after they had to travel back to South Africa having not seen or visited the national team players who are participating in the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
- The legends felt disregarded that in the 10 days that they spent in Mexico for the exhibition match, they were snubbed by Safa after their request to visit the Bafana team fell on deaf ears.
- The legends thought that being in Mexico, with the Bafana hotel just down the road, was the perfect opportunity for a meet and greet, and to give the World Cup players some motivation.
- The legends were also hoping to see the Jamaica friendly international but that did not materialise as Safa opted to play the match behind closed doors.
- The 2010 legends played in an exhibition match against their Mexico counterparts in what was a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening match.
A bulk of the players who played in the 2010 World Cup opening match under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira were chosen for the excursion.
Reads the request from
Said former
