South Africa’s national soccer team has embarked on their journey to the World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, but without their assistant coach, Helman Mkhalele. The team faced a delay due to visa complications, described as an administrative error by the South African Football Association (SAFA).

Visa Issues for Assistant Coach

Helman Mkhalele, a former international player with 66 caps for South Africa, was unable to join the team after his U.S. visa application was denied. SAFA President Danny Jordaan expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg regarding the visa denial. Despite this setback, the rest of the team and 99% of the technical staff have successfully departed for Mexico.

Upcoming Matches and Preparations

The team is scheduled to play a friendly match against Jamaica before facing co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup’s opening match on June 11 in Mexico City. South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, expressed relief that the team can now focus on their preparations after the stressful visa issues. The team is eager to make an impact in Group A, where they will also face the Czech Republic and South Korea.

South Africa is participating in their fourth World Cup finals and aims to advance beyond the group stage for the first time. The team will play the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, six days later.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.