Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is hopping mad after Bafana Bafana failed to travel to the Americas for this year’s FIFA World Cup. Bafana Bafana were due to fly out on Sunday morning, but remain at home because of an “administrative bungle” that resulted in some players failing to receive their visas on time. McKenzie took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to vent his frustrations over the matter, but also assured the nation that he has demanded answers from…

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has today announced the 16 winning supporters of the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fans Competition, with four more spots up for grabs in the next few days. The names from across the 16 Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs were revealed at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) offices in Pretoria. The competition, Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fans, was launched on 29 April 2026 to give passionate…

South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, says he has kept his promise for the implementation of the Video Referee Technology (VAR) in the local football league. Mckenzie has been vocal about VAR for months, insisting that it is worth digging into the public purse to fund it and elevate the game. On Wednesday, he confirmed that the National Treasury has now made a payment to the South African Football Association (SAFA) to proceed with its implementation. “We have paid the…

South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton Mckenzie, has expressed his dismay at recent comments by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Broos raised eyebrows when he said he was not feeling the “vibe” in the North African state, as compared to previous tournaments. “I don’t feel the same vibe compared to what I felt in Gabon or the Ivory Coast,” said Broos. McKenzie has fired back at Broos, accusing the latter of disrespecting…

South Africa’s national teams have been handsomely rewarded by the sports ministry for their respective successes in recent times. The senior football team Bafana Bafana will receive R5 million to share amongst the players and technical team. This comes after Hugo Broos’s men qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, ahead of Nigeria and Benin in Group C of the qualifiers. “This investment is a testament to their hard work and the pride they instill in our nation,” said sports…

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie has confirmed that Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka was fetching ice for the team when he missed the yellow card that almost cost Bafana Bafana a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup. Bafana Bafana have qualified for the World Cup despite being docked three points after midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in March despite sitting on two yellow cards, meaning he was suspended for…

Nigerian football administrator Amaju Melvin Pinnick has called out South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie for the latter’s comments against the West African nation. The straight-talking McKenzie caused a stir during his interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide some days ago, saying he is against Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup via the play-off route. Mckenzie’s comments stem from suggestions that Nigeria was leading the charge for Bafana Bafana to be docked points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena,…

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie has urged the South African Football Association (SAFA) to take responsibility for the yellow card saga. The matter relates to Bafana Bafana being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The blunder cost Bafana Bafana three points after FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win and fined SAFA R216 000 while cautioning Mokoena. Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka is at the centre…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) employee(s) who almost cost Bafana Bafana their FIFA 2026 World Cup spot will face no punishment, according to president Danny Jordaan. You would be forgiven for thinking heads would roll for the grave error, but no, it is business as usual at SAFA House. Bafana Bafana were almost home and dry when FIFA acted and sanctioned Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in midfielder Teboho Mokoena, in the 2-0 win over Lesotho played…

South African football’s dream of utilising the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is closer to reality. This comes after the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture allocated R82-million for VAR. “The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is pleased to announce significant progress in the procurement and implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for South African football, in close collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL),” announced the department on…