McKenzie Pledges R5 Million To Support Bafana’s AFCON Preparations
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that his department will donate R5 million to Bafana Bafana to help the team prepare adequately for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
McKenzie made the announcement on Tuesday, where he also addressed the recent administrative error involving Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka, who failed to note Teboho Mokoena’s suspension in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Tseka’s oversight came after Mokoena received a second yellow card in South Africa’s qualifier against Zimbabwe in June last year, meaning the midfielder should have been suspended for the following match against Lesotho in March.
As a result, FIFA docked South Africa three points and awarded Lesotho a 3-0 victory for fielding an ineligible player.
Despite the setback, Bafana Bafana still managed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Rwanda in their final qualifier last month.
Following the incident, McKenzie requested a full report from SAFA detailing how the error occurred. Having now received and reviewed the report, the minister said the matter is considered closed — and his focus is now on helping the team prepare for AFCON.
“As we look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December and January, and the World Cup next year in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the message is simple: let us stand behind our team,” said McKenzie.
The minister also urged the corporate sector to increase its support for Bafana Bafana and other national teams.
“We must be honest — part of the challenge is staffing and financial support,” McKenzie continued. “I call on corporate South Africa and sponsors to step up and help Bafana Bafana.
“They’ve done their part; now we must do ours. No federation can survive without sponsorship. I urge corporate South Africa to support Bafana Bafana in the same way they’ve backed SA Rugby and Cricket South Africa. The majority of South Africans love football.”
McKenzie further announced that several other national teams would also receive financial support from his ministry in recognition of their achievements.
“Banyana Banyana will receive R1 million, and the national under-20 team (Amajita) will also get R1 million,” he said.
“The Proteas Women, who lost the ODI World Cup final against India this past weekend, will receive R1 million, while the Women’s rugby team will also get R1 million.
“The under-17 men’s team (Amajimbos), currently competing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, will receive R500,000.”
