Photo of Bongiwe Mati

WATCH: Bafana Bafana receive a hero’s welcome on their arrival from AFCON

3y By Bongiwe Mati

This morning, Bafana Bafana got a welcome home reception befitting for champions!

The South African football team shocked the world with their stellar performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, by making it to the semi-finals and finishing 3rd place.

It was the first time since 2008 that Bafana Bafana managed to qualify for the tournament. They were the underdogs, with very little support from South African football fans, alas. The script and perception quickly changed when Bafana Bafana played in the group stages where they showed the world that this is not the team everyone was accustomed to, taking many by surprise.

They finished second in their group, just one point behind Mali to advance to the next round. This on its own was quite an achievement given the fact that Tunisia was also in the same pool, and was knocked out.

The team went on to beat Cape Verde in the quarter finals, they then proceeded to play Nigeria in the semi-final where they lost 4-2 on penalties. The boys redeemed themselves by beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the 3rd place match.

Even though Bafana Bafana did not win the AFCON trophy, their efforts and valiance displayed in the tournament restored faith in the team, as South Africans from all walks of life rallied behind the boys in full support.

Some said this reminded them of when South Africa won the AFCON tournament back in 1996. The team landed at 04:00 this morning to a fanfare of proud South Africans.

It was jubilations all around this morning and social media was abuzz, here are some snippets of mzansi’s reaction:

Minister Zizi Kodwa was seen leading the boys as they walked down the corridors of O.R. Tambo to a crowd waiting to give them their flowers.

Television and sports presenter Andile Ncube who was at the airport to welcome the boys noted the EFF support commenting:

Donning their red t-shirts and barrettes, the EFF painted O.R. Tambo red with many supporters.

Also see: Internet renames Valentine’s Day to Lerato Kganyago Day, here’s why

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