Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele cleared to travel to Mexico as visa secured

The pair received their US visas on Tuesday following an initial rejection from the US Consulate General in Johannesburg, forcing them to miss the team's departure for its base in Pachuca, Mexico, a day earlier. They are now expected to fly out and link up with the squad on Wednesday.

Their late clearance brings an end to an embarrassing administrative breakdown that disrupted Bafana Bafana's travel plans ahead of their first World Cup appearance since 2010. A broader visa issue had initially affected more than 20 members of the travelling party, including players and technical staff, preventing the team from boarding their scheduled charter flight on Sunday.

The rest of the squad eventually departed OR Tambo International Airport on Monday and landed in Mexico City later that day, but without Mkhalele and Mbatha, who remained in South Africa while paperwork was resolved.

South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan confirmed the breakthrough on Tuesday, expressing relief that the full contingent would soon be reunited.

"I can confirm that Helman and Mbatha have got their visas, and they will be leaving to join the team. Tomorrow, all of them will be together," Jordaan said. "I want to extend my gratitude and my ​thanks to all the staff at the American Embassy."

The incident sparked widespread criticism in South Africa, including public frustration from Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie, who described the situation as embarrassing and reflective of poor administrative planning.

SAFA later issued an apology and announced the formation of an emergency organising committee to oversee team logistics during the tournament. The committee includes Bafana head of delegation David Molwantwa, finance chairperson Mxolisi Sibam, and team manager Vincent Tseka.

Tseka in particular has faced scrutiny, with questions raised over his role in the travel disruption, especially following earlier criticism linked to a missed suspension issue involving Teboho Mokoena during the qualifiers.

Despite the off-field turbulence, Bafana Bafana have continued their build-up in Mexico. They are scheduled to face co-hosts Mexico in their World Cup opener in Mexico City on June 11, before Group A fixtures against the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey six days later.

The team will also play a final warm-up match against Jamaica on Friday as they attempt to settle into conditions, including the altitude in Pachuca, after losing valuable preparation time due to the visa delays.