Sports Minister, Zizi Kodwa has lauded the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, who returned home after winning bronze at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
The team was treated to a hero’s welcome by thousands of fans that came to see them at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning.
The team has been heaped with praise, after a strong showing at the continental soccer showpiece, managing to reach the semi-finals in 24 years.
Kodwa described the team as warriors.
“Long live the fighting spirit of Bafana Bafana, thank you very much to our captain, thank you very much to our warriors, thank you very much to all South Africans who came out in your numbers. I see a lot of blue, green, and gold, I see a lot of red among you. We want to thank you for supporting and rallying behind this team. This is a bunch of winners, we have revived the spirit of Bafana Bafana, who have brought us hope as a country,” he says.
VIDEO: Kodwa expresses gratitude to South Africa for supporting Bafana:
Heroes’ welcome
The President of South African Football Association (SAFA) Danny Jordaan has thanked crowds that showed up to give the AFCON bronze winning Bafana a heroes’ welcome.
This is the first South African men’s semi-finalists in the competition in 24 years- after having won the tournament back in 1996.
Jordaan says the support amazing.
He says, “We want to thank all those who came, this is a scene that we’ve never had for football, this is amazing. The red flags, we acknowledge you. This team produced by Coach Hugo Broos, is a new team. We want to pay tribute to this man sitting here, Hugo Broos.”
GALLERY: Bafana Bafana arrive at OR Tambo Airport:
