Minister McKenzie to shower World Cup-bound Bafana Bafana with bonuses

McKenzie made this announcement in the dressing room during his address to the players after they had defeated Rwanda 3-0, to finish top of Group A.

Bafana are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, since South Africa last hosted it in 2010.

They last qualified for the event back in 2002, and McKenzie says they deserve to be honoured.

"What you've done today deserves recognition. I'm going to give something, but it must be shared amongst all of you. We are going to make you happy because you have made the country happy."

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After the deduction of the three points and Bafana Bafana’s draw with Zimbabwe, some had started to doubt Bafana Bafana’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, but not McKenzie.

"They were doubting and laughing, but our boys played with heart. I want to thank the South African public for standing behind Bafana Bafana.

McKenzie was also full of praise for Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who returns to the World Cup 40 years later as a coach, having last been there for the Mexico 1986 World Cup with Belgium.

With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quickly approaching in Morocco in two months, McKenzie has no doubt that Bafana Bafana will be more than ready and pick up from where they left off in Cote d’Ivoire.

"Before Hugo Broos became the coach, Bafana Bafana were the laughing stock, but this coach turned things around. I'm the happiest minister in the whole world right now."