SAFA admit FIFA World Cup bid concerns after KZN chaos

The play-offs, which decided the two teams to be promoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season, were overshadowed by ugly scenes after Umsinga United supporters stormed the pitch and gunfire broke out.

This came after the KwaZulu-Natal side lost 1-0 to Orbit Collage of the North West in the semi-finals, subsequently missing out on promotion to the professional ranks.

The incident saw an exchange of gunshots between supporters and police, and SAFA KZN Chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya apologised to the nation, while expressing concerns over the possible impact on South Africa’s bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

"We would like to apologise to the nation. These were unfortunate scenes, which are not allowed in our country,” Ngwenya told Prime Time Sport with Victor Molefe on Ukhozi FM on Friday night.

"We must state that, as an organisation, we had a meeting last Friday, and this tournament was on medium risk, so it was not in our hands to decide on the number of police.”

With South Africa bidding for another major global football showpiece, Ngwenya says this will definitely harm the country’s chances of winning the bid, adding that they will meet as Safa to put the necessary measures in place to safeguard their bid.

"We are concerned, this incident will really damage our bid for the FIFA Women's World Cup. We will have an urgent meeting to report and hopefully it will not damage our hopes,” he added.

"We will put the country and the world in confidence about our bid.”