World Cup: Former Kaizer Chiefs Coach Warns Bafana Bafana Stars, Fans of Places to Go in Mexico
- South African fans and Bafana Bafana players have been warned ahead of their opening game against Mexico at the 2026 World Cup
- The South African men's national team are one of the 48 teams competing at the 23rd edition of the global football tournament in North America
- The warning given to both the travelling South Africans and the players sparked different reactions from Mzansi on social media
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Bafana Bafana stars and the South African fans travelling for the 2026 World Cup have been sent a strong warning ahead of the opening match against Mexico.
Source: Twitter
South Africa will play against the co-host on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The match is a repeat of the 2010 edition of the global football competition.
Bafana Bafana had issues with their travelling plans, but it has been sorted, and they recently had their first training session in preparation for their friendly game against Jamaica.
Bafana stars warned of World Cup trip
Former Kaizer Chiefs mentor Cavin Johnson has urged Bafana Bafana players and South African supporters travelling to Mexico to remain vigilant and be selective about the places they visit during their stay.
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According to Johnson, Mexico offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, but its familiar urban energy can sometimes give visitors a false sense of comfort, making them feel as though they are back in townships such as Soweto or Tembisa.
"Mexico is a wonderful country, but it also has areas that can be extremely dangerous," Johnson told KickOff. "As long as you know where you're going and avoid questionable locations, you should be fine.
"It is a beautiful destination, but caution is essential. There are regions where powerful drug cartels operate, much like what people see portrayed in films. It's similar to travelling to Brazil, if you venture into the wrong neighbourhoods, you could find yourself in serious trouble.
"Don't make the mistake of thinking you can move around freely as you would at home. In Mexico, it's safer to stay with a group. Travel together to matches, return together afterwards, and avoid wandering off on your own. If you're staying at a hotel, stick to established and reputable areas rather than exploring unfamiliar spots out of curiosity. Trying to compare local hangouts to places you know in Tembisa could put you at risk.
"Foreign visitors tend to stand out, especially since there aren't many Black people in Mexico. Locals can quickly identify that you're not from there. Even when interacting with people, be cautious and don't let your guard down.
"The players themselves are likely to be well protected because they represent the nation and will be staying in secure environments. However, nobody should assume that visiting Mexico is as simple or carefree as taking a walk through Soweto."
Fans react to Johnson's warning about Mexico
The warning given to the fans travelling to Mexico for the World Cup, as well as to the Bafana Bafana players, by Johnson sparked mixed reactions among social media users.
Source: Getty Images
TWFx said:
"The place they should be warned about is actually the USA, not Mexico. Mexico is very friendly unless there’s a drug business involved. America, on the other hand, as long as the colour of your skin is black, you needn't worry. Only makes it worse that you are a South African."
WhyAlwaysMoe_ shared:
"He’s not wrong. I went to Mexico last year. Once you leave Mexico City or your resort, you are in one of the scariest places on earth. It makes SA look like a walk in the park."
Bafana M wrote:
"The place is dangerous and well-known for kidnappings. Players should always be on the lookout."
Retired_Simp commented:
"This is why the USA and Mexico weren't supposed to host the World Cup."
The villager reacted:
"We don't want a repeat of what happened during AFCON back in the days."
ShipofThesus added:
"We are one of the most dangerous places on earth, and I don't think we should be creating unnecessary alarms about safety. No cartel will kidnap our boys."
Jordaan faces fresh scrutiny over SAFA leadership
Briefly News also reported that SAFA president Danny Jordaan faced fresh criticism after Bafana Bafana's World Cup visa chaos. Critics accused him of protecting team manager Vincent Tseka despite repeated blunders.
Football commentator Thomas Kwenaite, journalist Osasu Obayiuwana and former SAFA communications head Dominic Chimhavi questioned whether enough accountability had been taken.
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Source: Briefly News
