{"id":32450,"date":"2025-10-16T11:33:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T09:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=32450"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:45:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:45:34","slug":"bafana-bafana-world-cup-r5-million-pledge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/bafana-bafana-world-cup-r5-million-pledge\/","title":{"rendered":"Bafana Bafana\u2019s World Cup Comeback Earns R5 Million Pledge from McKenzie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged a R5 million bonus to the Bafana Bafana squad and technical team following their stunning qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. McKenzie made the announcement in the team\u2019s dressing room shortly after their 3-0 win over Rwanda, which confirmed their place at the top of Group A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This marks Bafana\u2019s first World Cup appearance in 16 years, their last being on home soil in 2010. The team\u2019s previous qualification came in 2002, making this moment a powerful symbol of revival for South African football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mckenzie-s-message-of-gratitude-and-celebration\">McKenzie\u2019s Message of Gratitude and Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In an emotional address, McKenzie congratulated the players for restoring pride to the nation and announced the bonus as a token of appreciation for their achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWhat you\u2019ve done today deserves recognition,\u201d he told the players. \u201cWe\u2019ll make sure every one of you benefits, because you\u2019ve brought joy to the entire country.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The minister\u2019s words were met with cheers in the dressing room, capturing the shared sense of pride between government officials, players, and fans alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">And we have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup!!!! Yeeeeeeessssssss!!!! Let that sink in!!!!!<br><br>South Africa \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 \u2665\ufe0f!!!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SABC_Sport<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/d3NThOO8tc\">pic.twitter.com\/d3NThOO8tc<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BafanaBafana\/status\/1978157763537584624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1103511035\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-defying-doubts-and-restoring-faith\">Defying Doubts and Restoring Faith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bafana\u2019s qualification campaign wasn\u2019t without its setbacks. After losing three points and drawing against Zimbabwe, critics began to question whether the team could make it to the World Cup. But McKenzie remained confident in the squad\u2019s determination and praised them for proving the doubters wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cPeople laughed and doubted, but our boys played with heart,\u201d he said. \u201cThey left everything on the field. Nigeria didn\u2019t help us \u2014 we earned our place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>His remarks echoed the sentiments of many supporters who stood behind the team during tough times, celebrating their resilience and fighting spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-applauding-hugo-broos-transformation\">Applauding Hugo Broos\u2019 Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>McKenzie also showered praise on Hugo Broos, whose leadership has reshaped the team since his arrival. The Belgian coach returns to the World Cup stage four decades after his last appearance at the 1986 edition with Belgium \u2014 this time as the man behind Bafana\u2019s revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cBefore Broos came in, Bafana were a national joke,\u201d McKenzie said frankly. \u201cBut this coach has changed everything. I can proudly say I\u2019m the happiest minister in the world right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Broos\u2019 focus on discipline, structure, and trust in younger talent has been key to rebuilding Bafana\u2019s competitiveness and identity on the international stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If you have any doubt to what this means to the players and coaches, watch here \ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffd <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oqWBulelpI\">pic.twitter.com\/oqWBulelpI<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GaytonMcK\/status\/1978179197521613103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 14, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3152307841\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-momentum-towards-afcon-2025\">Building Momentum Towards AFCON 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just two months away in Morocco, McKenzie believes this success will inspire even greater performances. He expressed confidence that Bafana will carry their World Cup momentum into the continental competition and continue to make the nation proud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the country, celebrations continue as fans reflect on a long-awaited return to football\u2019s biggest stage. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sabcsport.com\/soccer\/news\/minister-mckenzie-to-shower-world-cup-bound-bafana-bafana-with-bonuses#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McKenzie\u2019s R5 million<\/a> pledge is more than a reward \u2014 it\u2019s a statement of gratitude and belief in a team that has united South Africans once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-new-era-of-hope-and-recognition\">A New Era of Hope and Recognition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bafana Bafana\u2019s journey to the World Cup has reignited national pride and reminded supporters what belief and teamwork can achieve. McKenzie\u2019s pledge stands as a fitting tribute to a group of players who have turned doubt into triumph and given the nation a reason to dream once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/five-bafana-bafana-players-who-could-seal-world-cup-dream\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Five Bafana Bafana players who could seal World Cup dream<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged a R5 million bonus to the Bafana Bafana squad and technical team following their stunning qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. McKenzie made the announcement in the team\u2019s dressing room shortly after their 3-0 win over Rwanda, which confirmed their place at the top of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":32451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged a R5 million bonus to the Bafana Bafana squad and technical team following their stunning...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[286,11118,11108,288],"class_list":{"0":"post-32450","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-bafana-bafana","10":"tag-latest-football-news","11":"tag-latest-sports-news","12":"tag-soccer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32450"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32452,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32450\/revisions\/32452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}