SAFPU President rallies the squad as AFCON mission looms

Hlatshwayo, a former Bafana Bafana captain, knows all about the challenges of a good run at the AFCON, after he led the team to a quarterfinal finish in 2019 in Egypt.

He was at OR Tambo International Airport to bid the team farewell on Wednesday as they departed for Morocco, and he counts on skipper Ronwen Williams and the troops to deliver.

"Obviously, we're here as a union, SAPFU, to really wish the guys all the best and safe travels going to AFCON. Obviously the country, they've been there, the bar is set high so now we need to really make sure that we work hard and we carry on, on what they've done in the previous AFCON. South Africa as a whole would love to have this trophy being brought back home," Hlatshwayo said.

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Hlatshwayo and SAFPU’s visit to Bafana also comes just a few days after the players concluded a bonus agreement with the SAFA management ahead of the tournament. 

The players were handsomely rewarded after they returned with R4 million for finishing third in the previous AFCON.

"That's why we're here, you know, to show support to the players and for us to really say we are here, talk to us, come talk to us and obviously it's the leadership within the team that will contact us and we'll be able to help."

Hlatshwayo was elected just this past weekend, beating Mpho Matsi to the top position. 

SABC Sport understands that former Bafana Bafana attacker and Kaizer Chiefs legend Siphiwe Tshabalala had been in line to assume the top post at SAFPU, until some last-minute political dynamics.