McKenzie assures that 16 World Cup winners’ travel costs are fully covered by sponsors

The 16 fans are coming from clubs in the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL’s) Premier Division, with only fans from Sekhukhune United and Polokwane City failing to submit their entries. 

The winners will receive a fully sponsored travel package, including international flights and accommodation, meals, ground transport, and match tickets. McKenzie also announced that there are still four extra wildcard spots, and they will be decided via social media.

The 16 fans are a mix of fans who have been selected from the 229 entrants who sent their videos, and it’s football fans who are passionate about their teams, but also those who might not be popular but regularly attend matches, and some have also been traveling to the AFCONS at their own expense. 

McKenzie makes an example of the Orlando Pirates fan, Bonakele Hlengiwe Nzuza, who showed a lot of passion in her video...

"It means a lot to the players, it means a lot to the families of the people who are going, and it means a lot to the ordinary supporter. I was looking through the videos this morning and I saw one lady who is a Pirates supporter and it touched me deeply. She says from the age of seven she did not miss a Pirates game, and we see her and all the support."

READ: Victor Hlungwani escalates muti concerns to IFAB after Soweto Derby incident

McKenzie has also explained why they are taking artists to the World Cup, after a video was released in which he confirmed that they will be sending Mafikizolo and MiCasa to Mexico. He reveals that almost all the World Cup-bound countries will have artists at the World Cup as part of the plans to blend football and entertainment by the host countries (Mexico, USA, and Canada)...

"I've also seen some people complaining about us choosing artists to go with, but the World Cup in Mexico and America has put up big stages for the world to showcase their top artists. It was a fight to get on those stages, and why will I as the minister deny our artists. Sport goes hand in hand with music."

Bafana Bafana are also lining up a send-off match, possibly on the 30th of this month, before they depart for Mexico the following day. McKenzie revealed that this will be preceded by a send-off function at the Union Buildings by President Cyril Ramaphosa and alongside other events...