SAFA reveals hefty cost of flying Bafana Bafana to away matches

Published on by Joel Oliver

The football association is asking for help to cater for the national team’s travel expenses

SAFA expects to spend over R2.5 million to charter a plane to ferry Bafana Bafana to Congo Brazzaville for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

South Africa will host Congo in Gqeberha on October 11, before an away trip against the same side four days later, and SAFA plans to charter a plane for the squad so that they arrive early and well rested.

However, the exorbitant costs that come with it has left them in a tight spot and they are now asking for sponsors and government to chip in after feeling the pinch from the national team’s recent trips to Nigeria and South Sudan.

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SAFA is keen on a conducive environment for Bafana

“Some costs that come with having a national team playing back-to-back matches are costs that we as an association can’t bear,” said SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, as quoted by FARPost.

“A private charter. How do you take a team from South Africa, Gqeberha, to Brazzaville, [and] ensure that the team arrives two days before kick-off? So they can get a little bit of rest and prepare [on] match day minus one before they participate in the match,” she added, further explaining that the costs vary depending on the destination.

Bafana Bafana

How much does it cost to charter a plane?

“When we went to Nigeria, the costs were about R3.5 million. For the charter. We’re getting the quotations so we can appeal to our sponsors and government to come on board and assist us to make life easier.”

Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with Nigeria in their away game in June during the 2026 World Cup qualifier before beating South Sudan 3-2 in the 2025 AFCON qualifier in Juba this month.

Coach Hugo Broos has already named a 32-man provisional squad for the two matches against Congo.

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.