Share

Flash flood warning for AFCON

Johannesburg - Fans attending the African Cup of Nations match between Bafana Bafana and Cape Verde on Saturday have been warned not to bring umbrellas to the stadium.

They should instead opt for raincoats to prepare for severe weather conditions, Gauteng police said on Friday.

"A warning has been issued by the SA Weather Service that there might be flash floods for Johannesburg as from today [Friday]," Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said.

He said police, other law enforcement agencies, and disaster management centres would be on alert as the weather conditions might have an impact on security measures for the event.

The Young Communist League wished the South African team well in the tournament.

"This Bafana Bafana team carries the hopes of 52 million South Africans, and faces the mammoth task of emulating the class of 1996 by winning this continental showpiece on home soil," it said in a statement.

"To those that have written off Bafana Bafana before they have even kicked a ball, we say keep your comments to yourself, the team does not need any [of] them."

The portfolio committee on sport and recreation sent its best wishes to the team and urged people to buy tickets to fill the stadiums to capacity throughout the tournament.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions said it believed the tournament would enhance the buying of local products.

"Cosatu believes that the football tournament will also stimulate local economic development, in which many Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) will benefit," it said in a statement.

It said it had confidence in the team chosen by the national coach Gordon Igesund.

The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) also wished the team well and hoped it would win the cup.

It rejected a news report on Thursday that it was planning to boycott the tournament because it was not included in the transportation plans.

"The statement made in the New Age Newspaper that the taxi industry plans to boycott the Afcon tournament is completely incorrect," general secretary Phillip Taaibosch said.

Santaco was hoping to have a meeting with the minister of sport and the local organising committee next week over the sidelining of the taxi industry in the transport plans for the tournament, he said.

The Inkatha Freedom Party welcomed the African countries that were participating in the tournament.

"Don't feel at home, but rather be at home. South Africa is proudly African," IFP spokesman Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement.

"We call upon all South Africans to actively support all teams in general and Bafana Bafana in particular."
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1117 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1283 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1977 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE