Stranded footballers preparing to return home
They had been competing for the Donosti Cup in Spain earlier this month.
But, as they prepared to fly home, they discovered no return flights had been booked for them.
Now, with help from DIRCO, Western Cape Sport, and a fundraising effort from Radio and TV personality Tracey Lange, they have all received tickets.
The first group is scheduled to land on Wednesday afternoon as SAFA red-cards the BT Football Academy that organised the trip.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ngwenya sees Sithole-like recovery for injured Banyana star
'If the foot was not on the ground, perhaps the break could have been avoided,' Ngwenya said. SAFA Chief Medical Officer and CAF Medical Committee Vice-President, Dr Thulani Ngwenya, remains optimistic about Gabriela Salgado's chances of making a full recovery following the serious leg injury she sustained at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Salgado's Banyana injury Salgado suffered a broken leg during Banyana Banyana's semi-final defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday evening. The 27-year-old has since undergone successful surgery in Morocco. Dr Ngwenya likened the nature of her injury to that of Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who was sidelined last September with a career-threatening injury. ALSO READ: Pirates confirm Lepasa exit Sithole also suffered a leg break during South Africa's 3-2 win over South Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. He has since recovered and is ready to return to competitive football ahead of the new season in Portugal. 'It is a complete leg break. When she went up, her foot was firmly in the ground and because of that, there was a heavy force from the Nigerian athlete on her. If the foot was not on the ground, perhaps the break could have been avoided,' Ngwenya said on Radio 2000. 'This is also most common for female athletes because of the bone density. The bone density is very low for female athletes because of their cycle and that's why we always advocate for good nutrition to strengthen the bone and ligaments. 'Remember that we have also seen it with Sphephelo during an AFCON qualifier, he suffered the same injury and had to be transported back to South Africa to be operated on and he's back in action. With Gabby I'm confident that she will recover. 'Similar to Yaya' 'When they come back (to South Africa) on Monday, we'll start with the rehabilitation process and within six months, Gabby will be back playing again. Yes, she will be out for four to six months. I can almost guarantee you and the entire nation that she will come back because she's only 27. It was almost similar to Yaya Sithole and they are almost the same age. ALSO READ: OPINION: Bloemfontein Celtic identity crisis: revival or rivalry? 'Yaya is playing again now and ready to be selected. We almost had a similar injury with Refiloe Jane and she's back playing even though it was ligaments. We had an incident with Thembi Kgatlana and she's playing so I will trust the medical expertise that are there in South Africa who will make sure that Gabby is back.'
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Bafana Bafana squad for CHAN tournament announced
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has published Bafana Bafana's squad that will play in the CHAN tournament. The 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament will be played from 2-30 August in East Africa. The finals will be hosted in three different countries – Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda – to see their readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It will be the first time three different countries get to host this tournament at the same time. The opening match will be played in Tanzania while the third/fourth playoff will be staged in Uganda. Kenya will host the final. Now, coach Molefi Ntseki has opted for experience more than anything, giving the majority of unattached local players a chance in his Bafana Bafana squad. The likes of Zakhele Lepasa, Keagan Dolly, Phillip Ndlondlo who recently parted ways with Pirates, Wayde Jooste, Rowan Human and Thabiso Kutumela have made the cut. Ntseki included FIVE Mamelodi Sundowns players in Neo Maema, Terrence Mashego, Malibongwe Khoza, Kegan Johannes and Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi. It is unclear as to whether or not the five players are in Miguel Cardoso's plans for the upcoming season which gets underway on 1 August. Bafana Bafana squad for CHAN finals. Image: @BafanaBafana/X Bafana Bafana are in Group C alongside co-hosts Uganda, Niger, Guinea and Algeria. Group A consists of co-hosts Kenya, Morocco, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. Finally, Group B has Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
Stranded children and coaches back home
JOHANNESBURG - Imagine crossing the globe in pursuit of your dreams then being stuck in a country you're not familiar with, with no hope or way back home. Young Cape Town footballers who went to compete for the Donosti Cup in Spain found themselves in that situation.
